France’s trade deficit narrowed to 5.8 billion euros in June as exports increased and imports declined.

⑴ France's trade deficit in June narrowed to 5.8 billion euros from 7.9 billion euros in May, below the market expectation of 6.5 billion euros, due to increased exports and decreased imports. ⑵ Exports rose by 2.6% month-on-month to 54.5 billion euros, primarily driven by natural hydrocarbons and other extractive products (up 22.1%), transport equipment (up 3.2%), and mechanical, electrical, electronic, and computer equipment (up 1.3%). By destination, exports increased to the Middle East (up 28.4%), Africa (up 12.3%), the Americas (up 3.1%), and Asia (up 2.3%), while exports to the EU decreased by 1.2%. ⑶ Imports fell by 0.9% month-on-month to 60.4 billion euros. Reduced purchases of transport equipment (down 5.2%), natural hydrocarbons and other extractive products (down 7.7%), and refined petroleum products (down 3.7%) partially offset the increase in purchases of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and computer equipment (up 4.8%). By source, imports rose from Asia (up 5.1%) and the Americas (up 1.2%), while imports from the EU (down 0.4%), Africa (down 3.0%), and the Middle East (down 34.0%) declined.