The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in September as global activity returned to levels not seen since the financial crisis hit hard in the fall of 2008.
The nation's trade deficit expanded 18.2% in September to $36.5 billion from $30.8 billion in August, the Commerce Department said.
The one-month worsening in the deficit is the biggest since February 1999. This is the largest trade gap since January.
Imports rose 5.8% to $168.4 billion, the largest percentage increase in imports since February 1993.
Exports rose 2.9% to $132 billion in September. This is the fifth consecutive monthly gain in exports.
In real terms, which exclude price changes, imports rose 6.2% in September. Exports rose 4.4%. In real terms, the deficit widened by 10.2%.
Global trade activity came to a standstill last fall when the financial crisis turned into the worst global recession since World War II. Companies found no buyers for their products and were unable to obtain credit necessary to keep products flowing.
