High crude-oil prices pushed the U.S. trade deficit wider by 1.8% in August even as exports surged,

The Commerce Department said today the U.S. deficit in international trade of goods and services rose to US$59.03 billion from July’s slightly revised $57.96 billion. Exports rose 1.7% to a record-high US$108.18 billion, while imports increased 1.8% to a record-high US$167.21 billion

The value of crude oil imports rose to a record US$17.16 billion from July’s US$15.30 billion, as the average price climbed US$3.62 to US$52.65 a barrel, an all-time high.

Another report released today suggests the effects of high oil prices are likely to persist. The U.S. Labor Department said that import prices rose 2.3% in September, after rising 1.2% in August. The department originally estimated August prices up 1.3%. September’s increase was the largest since a 2.9% advance in October 1990.

Petroleum import prices increased 7.3% last month, and prices are up 48.9% in the 12 months since September 2004.

U.S. goods trade deficits with major trading partners were mostly higher in August, Commerce said. The U.S. shortfall with China widened to US$18.47 billion from July’s $17.65 billion.

The deficit with Canada widened to US$6.65 billion from US$6.01 billion, and the gap with Mexico climbed to US$4.22 billion from US$3.52 billion.

Also Thursday, U.S. initial claims for jobless benefits fell by 2,000 to 389,000, after seasonal adjustments, in the week that ended Oct. 8, the U.S. Labor Department said. The four-week average of new claims last week declined to 395,750 from 404,500.