Canada’s August trade surplus widens to C$4.2 billion

Canada’s merchandise trade surplus widened to C$4.2 billion in August from C$787 million in July, as exports rose and imports declined, Statistics Canada reported. The increase included a sharp widening in the country’s goods trade surplus with the United States, though the agency said tariff announcements may have affected the timing of shipments. Merchandise exports increased 2.5% in August, while imports fell 2.0%. Exports totaled C$77.9 billion and imports C$73.7 billion, according to Statistics Canada figures. In volume terms, exports also rose 2.5%, while import volumes declined 1.1%. Canada’s goods trade surplus with the United States grew to C$11.2 billion from C$6.1 billion in July. Exports to the U.S. increased 8.1%, while imports from the country fell 2.5%, the agency reported. Statistics Canada said the July announcement of new U.S. tariffs may have shifted trade patterns, as businesses moved shipments ahead of duties that took effect at the end of August. The figures do not establish how much of the increase in U.S.-bound exports resulted from shipments being advanced, rather than other factors. Energy exports rose 4.