TRADE DEFICIT NARROWS TO $3.38B.(Main)

Byline: Martin Crutsinger Associated Press

America's trade deficit narrowed dramatically to $3.38 billion in February, its best showing in nearly nine years, the government reported Thursday.

Exports climbed to an all-time high and imports dropped for a second straight month.

The Commerce Department reported that the deficit fell 43 percent compared to January's imbalance of $5.95 billion.

More than one-third of the improvement came from a big surge in sales of American aircraft and parts, but there were also strong gains in shipments of U.S. farm products, autos and computers.

In other good economic news, the Labor Department said …