WASHINGTON, Dec 21 Reuters The U.S. current account deficit narrowed sharply in the third quarter as exports jumped to a record high, data showed on Wednesday.

The Commerce Department said that the current account deficit, which measures the flow of goods, services and investments into and out of the country, contracted 9.1 to 217.1 billion last quarter. That was the smallest gap since the second quarter of 2021.

The current account gap represented 3.4 of gross domestic product, down from 3.8 in the second quarter. That was the smallest share in two years. The deficit peaked at 6.3 of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The United States is now a net exporter of crude oil and fuel. Though the deficit remains wide, it has no impact on the dollar given its status as the reserve currency.

Exports of goods increased 7.2 billion to a record 547.0 billion, boosted by nonmonetary gold and capital goods such as civilian aircraft engines and parts as well as other industrial machinery. But soybean and corn exports fell.

Imports of goods dropped 32.5 billion to 818.2 billion, pulled down by widespread decreases in consumer goods and industrial supplies and materials. The decline in consumer goods was led by household and kitchen appliances and other household goods. Imports have slowed as businesses assess their inventory needs amid cooling domestic demand against the backdrop of aggressive interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve.

The resulting smaller trade deficit…