The trade deficit south of the border rose in February to the highest level in six months as growth in imports outpaced a modest rise in exports.
The U.S. Commerce Department says the trade gap widened to $47.1 billion, up 2.6% from a January imbalance of $45.9 billion U.S.
Exports increased 1% to $178.1 billion U.S., boosted by increased sales of U.S.-made autos. It was the first climb since September. Imports were up 1.3% to $225.1 billion U.S., despite a drop in oil imports which fell to the lowest level in 13 years.
Trade has become a big issue in the race for the White House with Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders blaming the deficits on unfair trading actions by China and Mexico. Higher deficits subtract from economic growth.
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