WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit rose to a 15-month high as rising oil prices pushed crude-oil imports to their highest level since the fall of 2008, offsetting another strong gain in exports.
The larger deficit is evidence of a rebounding U.S. economy.
Analysts expect this year’s deficit to be up significantly from 2009, when it hit an eight- year low. But U.S. exports should keep growing, providing a major source of strength to American manufacturers, and will be only marginally affected by the European debt crisis.
The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that the trade deficit rose 2.5 percent to $40.4 billion in March compared with the February imbalance. It was the largest monthly trade deficit since December 2008.
Exports of goods and services were up 3.2 percent to $147.87 billion, the highest level since October 2008. Imports were up 3.1 percent to $188.3 billion.
U.S. manufacturers will continue to get a boost from rising demand for their products, economists predicted. Their sales are being helped by a rebound in the global economy and declines in the value of the dollar against other major currencies.
