Canada in December posted its first trade surplus in 10 months as exports expanded faster than imports, led by a push by U.S. businesses to build up inventory ahead of potential tariffs on Canada and generally strong U.

A jump in Canadian energy exports to the U.S. and further weakening of the loonie saw Canada’s trade surplus with its neighbor balloon in December, helping the country to its first goods-trade surplus with the world in 10 months.

Canada's trade surplus with the U.S. widened in December as overall exports rose thanks in part to higher energy prices, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

Canada saw its first trade surplus in ten months in December as exports continued to expand faster than imports, led by higher energy product exports, higher crude oil prices and partly by weaker local currency,