The U.S. international trade deficit widened 2% in July to $65 billion, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had predicted the deficit would widen to a seasonally adjusted $68 billion from the initial estimate of a deficit of $65.5 billion in June.

The trade gap in June was revised down to $63.7 billion.

The deficit is below its second-quarter average, meaning that trade could be a boost to growth in the July-September quarter.

Both exports and imports rose in July, with imports rising at a slightly faster pace.

Exports rose 1.6% to $251.7 billion in July. This is the first gain in exports after three straight monthly declines.

Source : MarketWatch