Record oil prices swell trade deficit

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Record oil prices swelled the U.S. trade deficit during November, a government report said Friday.

The U.S. Commerce Department said the deficit in international trade of goods and services surged by 9.3 percent to $63.12 billion. October's revised figure was $57.77 billion.

The U.S. bill for crude oil imports was $24.17 billion, up from $22.92 billion in October. The average price per barrel increased by a record $7.16 to a record-level $79.65 from $72.49.

The United States paid $31.95 billion for all types of energy-related imports, up from $30.08 billion in October.

Imports of industrial supplies increased by $4.65 billion in November. Purchases of foreign-made consumer goods rose by $796 million.