Investing.com - U.S. exports took a hit from an ailing global economy in August and imports from China surged, fueling the largest expansion of America's trade deficit in five months.
The Commerce Department said the trade deficit grew by 15.6% to $48.3 billion in August.
Overall exports fell 2% to their lowest level since October 2012. Imports rose 1.2%, even though America bought the least petroleum from abroad since September 2004.
The data illustrates the U.S. economy's vulnerabilities to a strong dollar and weak demand in foreign markets, which could impose further caution on the Federal Reserve's plans to hike interest rates.