Canada trade deficit jumps

Canada's trade deficit in February jumped to C$2.69 billion ($2.10 billion) from C$1.94 billion in January as rail transport problems slashed exports of wheat and canola, Statistics Canada said on Thursday. The deficit was larger than the C$2.00 billion shortfall predicted by analysts in a Reuters poll. Canada has only recorded two monthly trade surpluses since October 2014.
Exports grew by 0.4 percent as shipments of motor vehicles and parts rebounded by 5.0 percent following atypical Canadian auto plant closures in January. Exports of aircraft and other transportation equipment rocketed by 19.6 percent.
Exports to the United States rose 1.9 percent while imports increased by 3.3 percent.