The U.S. Commerce Department released the trade data on Wednesday. The U.S. trade deficit widened to $43.84 billion in June from a deficit of $40.94 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of $41.87 billion.

Analysts had expected a trade deficit of $42.8 billion.

The rise of a deficit was driven by lower exports. Exports fell by 0.1% in June, while imports increased by 1.2%, driven by Imports of food and automobiles.

A stronger U.S. dollar weighs on exports as it makes U.S. goods and services less affordable abroad. Weak overseas demand also weighed on exports.

Exports to the European Union declined 2.3% in June, exports to Canada were down 0.1%, exports to China jumped by 10.6%, while exports to Mexico were up.

Imports from China climbed 4.9% in June.