Key facts
- US goods trade deficit widened 2.1% to $134.9 billion in September.
- Economists had forecast the goods deficit at $130.2 billion.
- Goods imports rose $8.1 billion to $344.1 billion.
- Goods exports climbed $5.3 billion to $209.2 billion.
The US trade deficit in goods unexpectedly widened in September as imports increased, suggesting that trade again subtracted from economic growth in the third quarter. The goods trade shortfall increased 2.1%, or $2.8 billion to $134.9 billion last month, according to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the goods deficit at $130.2 billion. Goods imports rose $8.1 billion to $344.1 billion, while exports of goods climbed $5.3 billion to $209.2 billion.