BRUSSELS, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A rise in exports outpaced a rise in imports in June in the eurozone, the European Union's statistical office said Friday.
The eurozone, comprised of 16 nations that share the euro as currency, posted a $3 billion surplus in the month with a 5.2 percent rise in exports and a 4.3 percent rise in imports compared to the previous month, Eurostat said.
The surplus is sharply lower than the $6.6 billion surplus of June 2009; however, it is a considerable step up from the $4.2 billion deficit posted in May.
For the larger, 27-member European Union, the trade deficit was $12.2 billion in June, Eurostat said.
The EU trade surplus increased with the United States, Switzerland and Turkey while the trade deficit increased with China, Russia and Norway.
The largest surplus among specific states was posted by Germany, the largest economy in the region, where the surplus reached $76.8 billion January through May.
The largest deficit for the region January through May was posted by Britain where the gap was $54.6 billion.
