US Merchandise Trade Deficit Narrows Slightly on Higher Exports

The US merchandise-trade deficit narrowed in February for the first time in four months on stronger exports, though high imports still pointed to companies trying to get ahead of tariffs.

The shortfall in goods trade narrowed 4.9% to $147.9 billion from a record a month earlier, Commerce Department data showed Thursday. Economists expected a $139 billion gap, based on the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

Exports increased 4.1% to $178.6 billion, reflecting more automobile shipments. Imports fell 0.2% from a record high on a pullback in industrial supplies.

The elevated value of imports illustrates efforts by ...