The trade deficit in the U.S. rose to $ 40.2 billion in December

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the country's foreign trade deficit rose in December to $ 40.2 billion

Economists expect at least a rapid increase in the deficit to $ 37.7 billion

The volume of imports increased during the reporting period to $ 8.4 billion to $ 189.2 billion, while the main sources of increase were gasoline, automobiles and capital equipment. In turn, exports increased by $ 4.6 billion to $ 142.7 billion, thanks to increases in exports of capital goods and industrial materials.

For the entire 2009 U.S. trade deficit declined to $ 380.7 billion, an increase of $ 315.3 billion less than in 2008.