U.S. IMPORTS OF GOODS UP 15% IN JANUARY

U.S. IMPORTS OF GOODS UP 15% IN JANUARY

   U.S. imports of goods for January amounted to $101.6 billion in January, 15 percent higher than the $88.4 billion imports of January 2002, but down from $103.9 billion in December, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

   Exports of goods in January were $56.8 billion in value, up from $55.4 billion in December and 3 percent higher than the $54.9 billion of exports recorded in January 2002.

   The Census Bureau said that for goods, the U.S. deficit reduced in January to $44.8 billion from $48.5 billion in December. However, it increased when compared to the $33.5 billion deficit of January 2002.