According to Statistics Canada, Canada's imports increased 2.2 percent in March while exports edged up 0.4 percent. Import volumes rose 1.5 percent and prices 0.6 percent. For exports, volumes increased 1.9 percent, while prices declined 1.5 percent. As a result, Canada's merchandise trade deficit with the world widened from $2.2 billion in February to a record $3.0 billion in March.
Imports from countries other than the United States increased 10.0 percent to $16.3 billion in March, on higher imports from China (+$902 million). Imports from the United States fell 1.7 percent to $29.3 billion.
Exports to countries other than the United States rose 4.2 percent to $11.1 billion. There were higher exports to Japan (+$210 million) and Switzerland (+$108 million). Exports to the United States declined 0.9 percent to $31.4 billion.
Consequently, Canada's trade deficit with countries other than the United States widened from $4.2 billion in February to $5.2 billion in March. Canada's trade surplus with the United States widened from $1.9 billion in February to $2.2 billion in March.