WASHINGTON, Oct 10: The US trade deficit fell 3.5 per cent in August to $59.1 billion amid a drop in imports and weaker oil prices, government data showed on Friday.

The Commerce Department report was roughly in line with forecasts for a deficit of $59 billion. Exports fell 2 per cent in the month, the first decline since March, a sign of weaker global economic conditions and a firmer dollar.

But imports fell by 2.4 per cent, a result due in part to the sharp drop in petroleum costs.—AFP