U.S. trade deficit shrinks slightly

The U.S. international trade deficit dropped slightly in October, the U.S. Census Bureau said Friday. After posting a $44.9 billion deficit in August and a $44.2 billion deficit in September, the the bureau said U.S. exports hit $179.2 billion in October, while imports came in at $222.6 billion. That left a deficit of $43.5 for October, the bureau said. Exports -- goods and services -- for October fell by $1.5 billion, while imports fell by $2.2 billion compared with the previous month. In the month, exports of services was "virtually unchanged," while imports of services changed marginally, up by $100 million to $36.1 billion. That left the bulk of the shifting to export and import of goods. Exports of goods fell by $1.5 billion to $127.8 billion. Imports of goods fell by $2.2 billion to $186.6 billion. the bureau said.. The trade deficit with China was unchanged in the month at $28.1 billion. The deficit with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries fell substantially, dropping from $10.4 billion to $8.3 billion. Trade with Hong Kong provided a surplus falling from $4.3 billion to $3 billion. The surplus in trades with Australia rose from $1.4 billion to $2.1 billion.