DHAKA: The US trade deficit increased sharply in February as imports rose and exports fell amid signs of slowing growth in China and Europe’s tepid recovery.

US official data showed on Thursday, reports The Straits Times.

The nation’s trade gap in goods and services with the rest of the world widened to US$42.3 billion, from an upwardly revised US$39.3 billion in January, the Commerce Department said.

The shortfall has increased for three months in a row. Analysts on average had expected a smaller increase to US$39.3 billion.

The January trade deficit was previously reported at US$39.1 billion.

BDST: 2010 HRS, APR 03, 2014