US trade deficit rises despite record American exports

Washington (AFP) – The US trade deficit widened in February for the sixth straight month, hitting a fresh nine-year record though US exports of goods and services were at an all-time high, official data showed Thursday.

Soaring US imports of industrial supplies and capital goods pushed the monthly US trade deficit up 1.6 percent to $57.6 billion, seasonally adjusted, the highest level since October 2008.