French Trade Deficit Widens

(RTTNews) - France's trade deficit widened sharply in May as exports dropped for the first time in three months, data from the customs office showed Tuesday.

The trade balance showed a deficit of EUR 6.9 billion compared to a shortfall of EUR 5.4 billion in April. In the same period last year, the deficit totaled EUR 6.5 billion.

Exports declined 2.0 percent on a monthly basis in May due to a drop in military equipment sales.

Meanwhile, imports grew 0.7 percent from April, reflecting a rise in acquisitions of transport equipment and auto products.

On a yearly basis, exports advanced 5.9 percent and imports increased 5.3 percent.