OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the countrys merchandise imports declined 1.2 per cent and exports decreased 0.3 per cent in October.

The agency says that pushed the trade balance with the world to a $75 million surplus from a $303 million deficit in September.

imports declined to $40.4 billion as lower imports of energy products and motor vehicles and parts were partially offset by higher imports of basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products.

Exports decreased to $40.5 billion with lower shipments of motor vehicles and parts, metal and non-metallic mineral products and aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts.

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imports from the United States grew 1.0 per cent to $26.5 billion and exports rose 0.2 per cent to $30.4 billion, reducing that trade surplus to $3.9 billion from $4.1 billion in September.

imports from countries other than the United States fell 5.1 per cent to $13.9 billion and exports to those countries slipped 1.7 per cent to $10.1 billion, shrinking that trade deficit to $3.9 billion from $4.4 billion in September.