U.S. trade deficit with China balloons to new record
WASHINGTON (AFP) â The US trade deficit with China ballooned to a new record in August, sharply widening the overall trade gap, according to data that added fuel to growing American furor over China's currency.
The Commerce Department said the August trade deficit rose nearly nine percent from July to 46.3 billion dollars.
That was far worse than economists predictions of a 44.5 billion dollar gap.
Despite exports of goods and services edging up to a two-year high, imports jumped even higher.
"Our exports barely budged but we bought a lot more of just about everything including food, consumer goods, vehicles, capital goods and industrial supplies," said Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors.
Imports increased 2.1 percent from July, to 200.2 billion dollars, while exports edged up only 0.2 percent, to 153.9 billion dollars.
The August trade deficit was the second biggest since October 2008 when the global financial crisis accelerated, and confirmed a trend of widening gaps that began in mid-June 2009.
The politically sensitive gap with China expanded eight percent, to 28.0 billion dollars, wiping out the previous record of 27.9 billion dollars set in October 2008.
The United States has long criticized China's currency policy, accusing Beijing of keeping the yuan undervalued to gain an unfair trade advantage.
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