Farm exports cut US deficit

18 December 1998

Farm exports cut US deficit

A BIG jump in sales of soyabeans, wheat and other American farm products helped offset an increase in US purchases of foreign cars and oil, narrowing the trade deficit for the second straight month.

The Commerce Department said the October deficit fell 1.2% to $14.2 billion (£8.5bn), the lowest level since April.

• Financial Times 18/12/98 page 9