The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Wednesday U.S. the goods and services trade deficit widened to $55.5 billion in May from a revised $51.2 billion in the previous month (originally a gap of $50.8 billion).

Economists had expected a deficit of $54.0 billion.

According to the report, the May increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $4.4 billion to $76.1 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $20.6 billion.

Exports of goods and services from the U.S. rose 2.0 percent m-o-m to $210.6 billion in May, while imports surged 3.3 percent m-o-m to $266.2 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit rose $15.7 billion, or 6.4 percent, from the same period in 2018. Exports increased $5.1 billion, or 0.5 percent, while imports grew $20.8 billion, or 1.6 percent.