The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that the U.S. trade deficit shrank significantly in October, reaching its lowest level since mid-2009, as imports fell. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that if this trend continues, trade could contribute to economic growth in the fourth quarter. The trade gap narrowed 39 per cent to $29.4-billion, the lowest since June, 2009 (all figures U.S.). Economists expected the trade deficit to rise to $58.9-billion, but the report was delayed by the 43-day government shutdown. Imports decreased 3.2 per cent to $331.4-billion, with goods imports down 4.5 per cent to $255-billion, the lowest since June, 2023. This decline may result from President Donald Trump's tariffs and indicates softening domestic demand. Imports of industrial supplies fell $2.7-billion to their lowest level since February, 2021, largely due to a $1.4-billion drop in non-monetary gold, which is excluded from GDP calculations. Consumer goods imports fell by $14-billion to their lowest level since June, 2020, mainly due to a $14.3-billion decline in pharmaceutical preparations. In contrast, imports of capital goods rose by $6.8-billion. Exports rose 2.6 per cent to a record $302-billion in October.