US trade deficit rises to highest level in 14 years

The US Commerce Department said today that the US trade deficit rose by 5.9% to $ 67.1 billion in August, the highest rate of rise since August 2006, and analysts had expected the trade deficit to rise to $ 66.1 billion in August.

Imports rose by 3.2% to $ 239 billion, and imports of goods rose by $ 6.5 billion to $ 203 billion. Exports also rose by 2.2% to $ 171.9 billion, and exports of goods rose by $ 3.5 billion to $ 119.1 billion.

The data also showed that the job opportunities available in the United States decreased by 204,000 jobs to 6.49 million jobs in August, and the US economy had added 661,000 jobs in September after adding 1.489 million in August.