US trade gap widens to 6 month record high

US trade deficit broadened 3.7% in December, reaching USD 48.8 billion, a record high since June. Economists questioned by Marketwatch predicted a deficit increase equal USD 48.5 billion. In total for year 2011, the deficit was USD 558 billion or 11.6% higher than in 2010. Exports added 14.5% to USD 2.1 trillion while imports of services and goods climbed 13.8% to USD 2.7 trillion. Economists accociate wider trade gap with an increase in oil imports last year.