Canada’s trade deficit widened to C$3.6 billion ($2.9 billion) in June, which was 2.9x economists’ expectations. A 10% rise in imports included a 73% jump in metals imports and the second highest level of aircraft purchases on record. Export growth to the U.S. reached 7%, outpacing imports for the ninth straight month. That makes for an unhelpful backdrop to NAFTA talks. Added to that, Canada’s automotive “surplus” in completed vehicles – mostly with the U.S. – climbed to its highest since February 2016, which may also prove controversial in this month’s NAFTA talks.