Trade deficit widens to $39.1 billion in July

WASHINGTON • The U.S. trade deficit widened in July from a four-year low in June. American consumers bought more foreign cars and other imported goods, while U.S. companies exported fewer long-lasting manufactured goods.

The rise in imports points to resilient consumer spending, which drives 70 percent of economic activity.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the trade gap rose 13 percent to $39.1 billion. That's up from June's deficit of $34.5 billion, which was the smallest since late 2009.

Imports increased 1.6 percent to $228.6 billion, lifted by more shipments of oil, autos and consumer goods. Exports slipped 0.6 percent to $189.4 billion. Companies shipped fewer capital goods, such as civilian aircraft and industrial engines.

A wider trade gap can slow economic growth because it means that U.S. consumers and businesses are spending more on foreign goods than U.S. companies are earning from overseas sales.

Still, the decline follows a steep drop in June. And economists noted that trade is running at roughly the same pace as the previous quarter. Many were also encouraged by the increase in imports of consumer products. That follows a weak government report last week on consumer spending in July.

Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, said that he expected trade would be "broadly neutral" in terms of overall economic growth in the second half of this year, not subtracting from growth or adding to it.

Gregory Daco, director of U.S. economics for IHS Global Insight, said the rise in imports reflects stronger consumer and business demand. Those could be encouraging signs for economic growth.

Most economists expect the economy will grow at an annual rate between 2 percent and 2.5 percent in the second half of this year. Many say consumers will increase spending as the impact of higher taxes starts to fade.

In July, the deficit with China jumped to an all-time high of $30.1 billion and is slightly ahead of last year's record pace. That could increase pressure on the Obama administration to take a harder line on trade issues with China. American manufacturers contend China manipulates its currency and engages in other unfair practices to gain trade advantages over U.S. companies.

Europe's weak economy also is weighing on U.S. exports. The deficit with the 27-nation European Union jumped to a record $13.9 billion as imports from that region climbed 17.2 percent to a record $35.1 billion while U.S. exports to the region fell 7.4 percent to $21.1 billion.

Other reports suggest exports could rebound in August.

U.S. factories expanded in August at the fastest pace since June 2011, according to a closely watched survey released Tuesday from the Institute for Supply Management. The report said orders from overseas rose in August.

And a private survey of purchasing managers in China found that manufacturing in that country expanded for the first time after shrinking for three months.

The Federal Reserve is closely watching economic data to determine whether it should reduce its monthly bond purchases. Those purchases have been intended to keep long-term borrowing costs low.

Chairman Ben Bernanke has said the Fed could slow its $85 billion a month in bond buying later this year if the economy keeps improving. Some analysts think the Fed will announce after its next policy meeting Sept. 17-18 that it's scaling back the purchases.