WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States trade deficit narrowed in May from April, helped by cheaper oil that reduced imports and an increase in exports to Europe and China.

But economists cautioned that the global economy had weakened since then. And they noted that the decline in the deficit did not change their growth forecasts for the second quarter.

The Commerce Department said on Wednesday that the trade deficit fell 3.8 percent to $48.7 billion in May, down from $50.6 billion in April.

Exports rose 0.2 percent to $183.1 billion. The increase reflected stronger sales of telecommunications equipment and heavy machinery. Exports to the 27-nation European Union rose 2.6 percent in May from April. Imports dropped 0.7 percent to $231.8 billion. The amount the United States spent on imported oil fell to the lowest level in 15 months.