US trade deficit falls 0.1% to $69.4 billion in March

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US trade deficit fell 0.1% to $69.4 billion in March, according to data from the Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Thursday.

The expectation for the figure was to show a deficit of $69.5 billion, following a deficit of $69.5 billion in February.

Exports in March were $257.6 billion, $5.3 billion less than in February; while imports were $327 billion -- $5.4 billion less than the previous month.

"The March decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.8 billion to $92.5 billion, and an increase in the services surplus of $0.9 billion to $23.1 billion," the Census Bureau said in a statement.

"Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $6.5 billion, or 3.2 percent, from the same period in 2023. Exports increased $9.1 billion or 1.2 percent. Imports increased $15.6 billion or 1.6 percent," it added.