THE US trade deficit widened less than expected in April as the lowest petroleum bill in nearly 2-1/2 years tempered the rise in imports, while exports hit a four-month high.

The Commerce Department said yesterday the trade gap increased 8.5 percent to US$40.3 billion. March's shortfall on the trade balance was revised to US$37.1 billion from the previously reported US$38.8 billion.

Economists had expected the trade deficit to rise to US$41 billion in April.

When adjusted for inflation, the trade gap increased to US$47.6 billion from US$44.6 billion in March.

The widening in the so-called real trade deficit could prompt economists to lower their already low estimates for second-quarter gross domestic product.

The economy has hit a speed bump, with higher taxes and government spending cuts crimping consumer spending and weighing on manufacturing activity. Growth estimates for this quarter currently range between a 1.2 percent and 2 percent annual pace.

The economy grew at a 2.4 percent rate in the first three months of the year, with trade subtracting a fifth of a percentage point from output.

The three-month moving average of the trade deficit, which irons out month-to-to month volatility, slipped to US$40.42 billion in the three months to April from US$41.22 billion in the prior period.

Annual revisions showed the trade deficit in 2012 was smaller than previously reported, with exports revised higher.

In April, imports of goods and services increased 2.4 percent to US$227.7 billion. The rebound in imports was mitigated by the lowest value of petroleum imports since November 2010.

Exports of goods and services increased 1.2 percent to US$187.4 billion, the second highest on record. Strong export growth helped to lift the economy out of the 2007-09 recession, but momentum has waned in recent months against the backdrop of slowing global demand, especially in China and recession-hit Europe.

Exports to China, which have been growing more slowly than in recent years, declined 4.7 percent in April.

China has been one of the fastest growing markets for US goods, and exports to that country were up 4.8 percent for the first four months of 2013.

Imports from China surged 21.2 percent, lifting the contentious US trade deficit with China to US$24.1 billion from US$17.9 billion in March.

The impact from US dollar strength earlier in the year is also taking steam out of export growth.