Record exports reduced the U.S. trade deficit in March, the first drop in seven months in a massive gap that President Trump has been determined to shrink with an aggressive America first policy.
The Commerce Department says the trade deficit slid to $49 billion, down from $57.7 billion in February and lowest since last September.
The President has vowed to bring down America’s massive deficits, which he blames on bad trade agreements and abusive practices by U.S. trading partners.
Exports rose in March to a record $208.5 billion, led by shipments of civilian aircraft and soybeans. Imports slipped 1.8 percent to $257.5 billion.
The United States ran a $20.5 billion surplus in the trade of services such as education and banking. But that was offset by a $69.5 billion deficit in the trade of goods.