WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. trade deficit of goods and services edged down in November, 2013, as exports rose and imports declined, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

The total trade deficit dropped to 34.3 billion U.S. dollars in November, down from a revised 39.3 billion dollars in October.

Exports rose 0.9 percent from the previous month to 194.9 billion dollars in November, reflecting more overseas sales of industrial supplies and materials.

Imports dropped 1.5 percent from the previous month to 229.1 billion dollars. Purchases of foreign foods and consumer goods decreased.

Trade deficit has been a drag of the U.S. economic growth for many years. The world's largest economy registered 534.7 billion dollars of trade deficit in 2012.