US trade deficit jumps to record $66.1bn

By Christopher Swann in Washington
Published: November 10 2005 14:03 | Last updated: November 10 2005 14:03

The US trade deficit jumped to a record $66.1bn in September, up almost $7bn on the previous month and surpassing even the most pessimistic forecasts.

US exports were undermined by a strike at Boeing and the disruption caused by hurricane Katrina. The soaring price of oil also contributed to the widening trade gap.

Economists expect the deficit to narrow next month as these special factors drop away but warned that the US trade position continues to deteriorate.