Helped by volatile gold shipments, the May deficit was down from a record in April and continued to reflect fluctuating tariff policy in Canada’s biggest trade partner and neighbor.

While exports to the U.S. were down, trade to other countries was up. Canada sent 30.1 per cent more unwrought gold, silver and platinum group metals to other countries, including the United Kingdom, for example, and 13.3 per cent more meat products to Japan.

Canada's trade deficit in May narrowed after a record-breaking deficit in April as total exports rose and imports fell even as the impact of U.S. tariffs dented shipments south of the border, data showed on Thursday.