OTTAWA, June 4 (UPI) -- Canada's merchandise trade balance jumped in April with record imports from the United States, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday from Ottawa.
From March to April, merchandise imports rose 1.2 percent, while exports slide 0.2 percent. That sent the deficit from month-to-month up to $567 million from $3 million.
Statistics Canada said exports "edged down to $40.3 billion" with export declines in in metal ores and non-metallic minerals, energy products and industrial machinery.
Imports from the United States rose 1.9 percent to reach a record $26.2 billion. Exports to the United States also grew, climbing 1.8 percent to $30.1 billion.
Merchandise trade is one component of Canada's overall trade activity, which also includes trade in services, investment income and capital and financial money flows.
In March, Canada's overall trade balance posted a modest surplus of $24 million.
