U.S. exports up 4.6% in March

U.S. exports up 4.6% in March    The U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday reported the country’s exports of goods and services in March increased 4.6 percent from February 2011 to a record $172.7 billion.
   The monthly increase in the export value for goods and services from February to March 2011 ($7.7 billion) was also the highest on record, as were March exports to Canada and South and Central America.

Locke

   U.S. imports of goods and services increased 4.9 percent over this period to $220.8 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to increase 6 percent since February to reach $48.2 billion in March. March petroleum imports ($39.3 billion) were the highest since August 2008 ($43.7 billion).
   'Now more than ever, America's ability to create jobs here at home depends on our ability to export goods and services around the world,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, in statement. “We have seen the private sector add 2.1 million jobs across industries from manufacturing to education to retail, and exports supported more than 9 million U.S. jobs in 2010.”