By Rex Nutting
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. trade gap unexpectedly narrowed in August to $30.7 billion on a big drop in imports of crude oil, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Imports fell by $913 million, or 0.6%, to $158.9 billion in August, as imports of crude oil fell by $1.28 billion. Exports rose by $228 million, or 0.2%, to $128.2 billion, the highest since December. Exports were led by autos, metals and soybeans. Exports of capital goods fell to the lowest level in four years. Imports and exports were boosted by increased trade in autos and auto parts. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected to the trade gap to widen to $33.6 billion in August.
