Canada: Merchandise trade balance with the world posted a $3.6 billion deficit in June

"Canada's merchandise trade balance with the world posted a $3.6 billion deficit in June, widening from a $1.4 billion deficit in May, the Statistics Canada announced on Friday.

Key highlights:

• Following three consecutive monthly record highs, total exports fell 4.3% to $46.5 billion in June, as 9 of 11 sections decreased
• This sharp decrease was mainly due to lower exports of unwrought gold and energy products
• Sustained growth in total imports slowed in June, edging up 0.3% to $50.1 billion. Volumes rose 0.8% while prices fell 0.5%
• Imports edged up 0.3% to $50.1 billion, led by an increase in gold bullion
• Exports to the United States were down 4.5% to $34.5 billion in June, mostly on lower exports of crude oil. Imports from the United States fell 0.7% to $32.4 billion, also on lower imports of crude oil