Trade Gap Widens as Exports Dip

The rest of the world is no longer doing much shopping

The U.S. trade deficit widened in July for the first time in four months as the global economic slowdown took a toll on American exports.

The gap grew to $42 billion from a revised $41.9 billion in June, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The deficit with China climbed to a record, and it was the widest in almost five years with the European Union. Another report showed job openings in July declined.