US August trade gap narrows slightly

The US trade deficit narrowed marginally in August, but the trade gap with China widened to a record high, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The trade gap totaled $45.61 billion, down slightly from a revised $45.63 billion in July. Analysts had expected the deficit to widen to $45.8 billion in August.

US exports fell 0.1 percent to $177.61 billion. Total imports were about flat, with imports from China rising to a record-high $37.4 billion.