The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in August as exports posted a small gain. … The fourth straight rise in exports was an encouraging sign that the global economy has started to recover from a severe recession that began in the United States and quickly spread to other parts of the world. But many economists expect the deficit to rise in coming months on the back of a rebounding U.S. economy, which will start importing more foreign products.

From the Associated Press, October 9, 2009