Imports, exports and trade deficit all rose in December: StatsCan

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the country’s trade deficit widened to $1.7 billion in December from $1.5 billion in November.

The increase came as merchandise imports grew 1.2 per cent and exports increased 0.9 per cent in December.

Imports grew to $41.4 billion, with higher imports of energy products leading the way.

Exports rose to $39.7 billion as increases in most sectors were slightly offset by declines in energy products, farm, fishing and intermediate food products and motor vehicles and parts.

Exports to the United States rose 1.2 per cent to $30 billion, while imports declined 0.4 per cent to $27.1 billion. Canada’s trade surplus with the U.S. rose to $2.9 billion from $2.4 billion in November.

Imports from countries other than the United States rose 4.3 per cent to $14.2 billion while exports to those countries were unchanged at $9.7 billion. The trade deficit with countries other than the U.S. totalled $4.5 billion in December, up from $4 billion in November.