According to Statistics Canada, Canada's exports increased 0.6 percent to $43.4 billion in August. Exports volumes rose 0.4 percent and prices edged up 0.2 percent. Imports were largely unchanged at $45.3 billion in August, as a 0.8 percent increase in volumes was offset by a 0.7 percent decrease in prices. Consequently, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world narrowed from $2.2 billion in July to $1.9 billion in August.
Exports to countries other than the United States rose 7.7 percent to $11.0 billion in August, the largest monthly increase since May 2014. Exports to the United Kingdom contributed the most to the gain, rising $370 million on higher exports of unwrought gold. Exports to China, Norway, Switzerland and South Korea also increased in August.
Imports from countries other than the United States were up 0.3 percent to $15.4 billion. Higher imports from the United Kingdom (+$281 million) and the Netherlands (+$69 million) were partially offset by lower imports from Mexico (-$111 million) and India (-$94 million). As a result, Canada's trade deficit with countries other than the United States narrowed from $5.2 billion in July to $4.4 billion in August.
Exports to the United States decreased 1.6 percent to $32.4 billion in August, while imports edged down 0.1 percent to $29.9 billion. Consequently, Canada's trade surplus with the United States narrowed from $3.0 billion in July to $2.5 billion in August.