The Unted States trade deficit narrowed sharply in April, as exports climbed 4.0 per cent and imports fell 0.1 per cent, the Department of Commerce reported yesterday.</br></br>While the nation imported $202.1 million, more than it exported, that is a much smaller deficit than the $650.9 million imbalance it recorded in March.</br></br>Mainly because the recession in the United States stifled import demand here more than . the recession abroad cut U.S. exports, the Unted States ran a big, $11 billion surplus in its foeign trade account last year.</br></br>Even though the economy suffered its worst recession in more than 30 years, the strong trade performance helped moderate the steep downturn in the economy.</br></br>For the frst several months of this year, however, the trade ledger has shown a deficit, in large part because the improving economic climate in the Unted States boosted demand for foreign products.