OTTAWA—Worldwide exports held steady in December, compared to figures from the corresponding period last year. December imports, on the other hand, showed a decline of almost 5%. Global year-to-date trade balance figures fell 9.4%.

Meanwhile, Canada's exports to the U.S. bounced back, while imports continued to drop off like they did in November.

All countries	Dec 2012	Dec 2011	% change
Total exports $M	76.0	75.8	0.264
Total imports $M	92.5	97.0	(4.639)
Trade balance $M (YTD)	(333.0)	(364.4)	(9.4)

Canada/U.S.	Dec 2012	Dec 2011	% change
Exports to U.S. $M	60.1	58.2	3.265
Imports from U.S. $M	62.4	66.1	(5.598)