U.S. trade deficit grew slightly to $42B in July

Washington • The U.S. trade deficit grew slightly in July as exports fell at a slightly faster pace than imports. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the trade deficit widened to $42 billion, 0.2 percent higher than June’s imbalance of $41.9 billion. U.S. exports fell 1 percent to $183.3 billion, lowered by weaker sales of autos, telecommunications equipment and heavy machinery. Imports declined 0.8 percent to $225.3 billion — oil imports fell 6.5 percent. A wider trade deficit acts as a d...