US trade deficit rises 1.8% in December

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The US goods and services trade deficit rose by 1.8% in December from the previous month, according to the US Commerce Department's Census Bureau data released on Tuesday.

The figure is up by $1.4 billion to reach $80.7 billion in December, compared to November's revised figure of $79.3 billion.

The market expectation for the deficit was to reach $83 billion.

"December exports were $228.1 billion, $3.4 billion more than November exports. December imports were $308.9 billion, $4.8 billion more than November imports," the Census Bureau said.

The US trade deficit with China increased by $6 billion to $34.1 billion in December. While its exports decreased by $2.2 billion to $11.8 billion, its imports increased by $3.8 billion to $45.9 billion.