German Oct trade surplus narrows

BERLIN, Dec 10 (Reuters): Germany's trade surplus narrowed in October with imports growing faster than exports which were slowed down by trade disputes between the United States and both China and the European Union.

The Federal Statistics Office said on Monday seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.7 per cent on the month, less than a 1.3 per cent rise in imports.

That meant the trade surplus narrowed to 17.3 billion euros ($19.68 billion) from 17.7 billion. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to a 0.5 per cent rise in exports and a 0.4 per cent increase in imports.