The US international trade deficit shrank sharply in November, led by a drop in imports, government data shows.
The trade shortfall fell to $US34.3 billion ($A38.3 billion) in November, a decline of 12.9 per cent from October, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.
The decline in the chronic US trade gap in goods and services with the rest of the world was much steeper than expected. The average analyst estimate was for a deficit of $US40.4 billion.
The department revised the October figure to $US39.3 billion from the prior estimate of $40.6 billion.
November exports rose 0.9 per cent to a record $US194.9 billion.
Imports fell 1.4 per cent to $US229.1 billion amid a decline in oil prices.
Imports of crude oil, which represent about 10 per cent of total imports, dropped 10.8 per cent in November to $US21.4 billion.
