U.S. exports increase 3.2% in October

U.S. exports increase 3.2% in October    The U.S. Commerce Department reported Friday that exports of goods and services for the month increased 3.2 percent from September to $158.7 billion, the highest level for monthly exports since August 2008 ($162.9 billion).
   The highest volume of U.S. goods exports was seen in Mexico and China, the department said in its October 2010 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report.
   U.S. imports of goods and services decreased 0.5 percent in October to $197.4 billion, allowing the U.S. trade deficit to decrease 13.2 percent since September to reach $38.7 billion in October.
   'Today's trade numbers are another sign that we're moving in the right direction,' said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in a statement.
   'The pending trade deal with Korea will build on the momentum we're seeing. It levels the playing field for American companies doing business there and will create jobs and opportunity here at home,' he added.
   Through October, U.S. merchandise exports to South Korea grew 39 percent from the same period of 2009, making the Asian country the third-largest growth market for U.S. exports among major trading partners.