WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit fell to the lowest level in more than nine years in May as exports posted a small gain while the weak American economy pushed imports down for a 10th straight month.

The Commerce Department says the deficit narrowed to $26 billion, a drop of 9.8 percent from April and the lowest level since November 1999. Economists expected the deficit to widen to $30.2 billion in May.

So far this year, the deficit is running at an annual rate of $350 billion, about half of the $695.9 billion deficit for all of 2008. Economists believe that trend will continue as weakness in the U.S. depresses demand for imported goods.