Canada's surplus with its biggest trading partner the United States narrowed in January while the coronavirus epidemic hindered trade with China, according to government data released Friday.

Overall, Canada's trade deficit with the world widened from a revised Can$732 million (US$545 million) in December 2019 to Can$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) in January, said Statistics Canada.

The agency had previously reported a much smaller trade deficit in December, but in a revised statement it noted higher imports and lower exports in the month.