Trade deficit drops in April as exports climb to all-time high

No easy feat considering $65 oil....

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The trade deficit dropped sharply in April as strong overseas demand pushed American exports to an all-time high.

While the Bush administration hailed the unexpectedly large improvement as a sign that an export boom was continuing, critics noted the imbalance with China rose in April, underscoring what they said was an urgent need for Congress to take action to punish China for unfair trade practices.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that the gap between what America sells abroad and what it imports totaled $58.5 billion in April, a 6.2 percent decline from the March deficit.

Exports edged up 0.2 percent to a record $129.5 billion, reflecting strong sales of soybeans and other farm products, commercial aircraft and industrial machinery. Imports fell 1.9 percent to $188 billion, reflecting big declines in imports of foreign cars, televisions and clothing and a small dip in America's foreign oil bill.