WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in April, with imports decreasing by the most on record as the front-running of goods ahead of tariffs ebbed, which could provide a lift to economic growth this quarter.

Canada posted its largest merchandise trade deficit on record in April — at $7.1 billion — as exports fell sharply in the face of U.S. tariffs.

The U.S. international trade deficit narrowed 55.5% in April to $61.6 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal h