WASHINGTON (December 11, 2012)--The U.S. trade deficit increased in October because exports fell by a larger margin than imports, a sign that slower global growth could weigh on the U.S. economy and the trade gap with China also hit an all-time high, the U.S. Commerce Department said Tuesday.

The Commerce Department says the trade deficit grew 4.8 percent in October from September to $42.2 billion.

Exports dropped 3.6 percent to $180.5 billion and sales of commercial aircraft, autos and farm products all declined.

Imports fell 2.1 percent to $222.8 billion, reflecting fewer shipments of cell phones, autos and machinery.

A wider trade deficit acts as a drag on growth and typically means the U.S. is earning less on overseas sales of American-produced goods while spending more on foreign products.