The US trade deficit edged up in April as crude oil prices hit the highest level since December. But the imbalance so far in 2009 remained well below last year's pace, and economists expect that to continue as the global recession dampens demand for automobiles, heavy machinery and other goods. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the deficit rose for a second straight month in April, climbing 2.2 percent to $29.2 billion. The overall deficit is running at an annual rate of $361.1 billion, about half of the $695.9 billion total for all of 2008. The drop in imports has been greater than the fall in exports, which also are down significantly as the global recession cuts demand for US products in key markets. For April, exports of goods and services fell $2 billion, or 2.3 percent, to $121.1 billion, the smallest monthly total since July 2006. The drop included big declines in sales of industrial engines, machinery, and motor vehicles and parts. Sales of commercial aircraft rose. Imports dipped $2.2 billion, or 1.4 percent, to $150.3 billion, the lowest total since September 2004. Shipments of foreign-made cars, oil drilling equipment, computers and machine tools all fell. But imports of petroleum bucked the downward trend, rising 2.1 percent to $18 billion. The average price for a barrel of imported crude oil jumped to $46.60 in April, from $41.36 in March. It was the highest level since December and is expected to rise in coming months given recent increases in crude oil prices. The politically sensitive deficit with China increased 7.3 percent to $16.8 billion, although that imbalance through the first four months of this year is 11.1 percent below last year's record pace, according to the Commerce Department. The US deficit with the European Union jumped to $5.3 billion in April, an increase of 20.8 percent from March.
