The Commerce Department says the trade deficit fell nearly 21 percent in December, to $38.6 billion, the smallest in nearly three years.
Exports rose 2.1 percent to $186.4 billion. Exports of oil and other petroleum products rose to the highest level on record.
Imports shrank 2.7 percent to $224.9 billion. Oil imports plunged to 223 billion barrels, the lowest since February 1997.
A narrower trade gap boosts growth because it means U.S. companies earned more from overseas sales while consumers and businesses spent less on foreign products.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/2/258094