Canada’s trade surplus with the world fell for the first time in four months, declining to $5.1 billion in April from a revised $5.7 billion in March.

Exports to the United States increased for the fourth straight month, reaching $30.6 billion, their highest level since April 2007.

Meanwhile, imports from the U.S. grew at a faster pace, thus reducing the trade surplus with Canada’s largest trading partner to $8.2 billion.

Exports to countries other than the United States declined for the first time in four months, while imports grew.

Consequently, the trade deficit with the rest of the world expanded to $3.1 billion.

Canada’s exports grew for the fourth straight month, up 0.8% to $39.9 billion in April — coinciding with rising oil prices.

South of the border, he U.S. trade deficit swelled more than expected during April, pushed wider by record oil prices and an increased consumption for imported crude that offset a solid climb in exports.

The U.S. deficit in international trade of goods and services increased by 7.8% to US$60.90 billion from March’s revised US$56.49 billion, the U.S. Commerce Department said today.

April’s trade deficit was bigger than Wall Street expectations. Economists had estimated a US$60.00 billion shortfall.