WASHINGTON — Monthly U.S. exports to Europe grew in December, a hopeful sign after a steep decline the previous month. But, some economists remain concerned that the region's debt crisis will still weigh on the U.S. economy this year.

The Commerce Department said Friday that the overall trade deficit widened to $48.8 billion in December because imports grew at a faster pace than exports. It was the largest imbalance since June.

Imports rose 1.3 per cent, largely because the U.S. bought more foreign autos, auto parts and industrial machinery.

Exports increased 0.7 per cent. And exports to Europe rose 7.2 per cent. That followed November's decline of more than 6 per cent.

Still, exports to the 17 nations that use the euro grew just 1.7 per cent in December from November. And exports to the euro zone fell 1.6 per cent in December from the same month in 2010.

Paul Dales, an economist with Capital Economics, said export growth to the euro zone is down sharply from 15 per cent year-over-year growth to that region in August.

Europe, which consumes nearly one-fifth of America's exports, is likely to suffer a recession this year. That's a key reason Capital Economics is forecasting U.S. economic growth of just 1.5 per cent in 2012.

"With the danger that the euro-zone enters a deep recession still very real, weaker demand from Europe will weigh on US export growth both this year and next," said Dales, who relies more on year-over-year trade figures because they smooth out seasonal changes for countries and regions.

Others are slightly more optimistic. Economists at JPMorgan Chase forecast economic growth of around 2.3 per cent. Trade is expected to be neutral as solid growth in exports is expected to be roughly offset by growth in imports.

For the 2011, the U.S. deficit climbed to $588 billion, the highest level since 2008. Both exports and imports rose to all-time highs.

Economic growth weakens when exports decline because factories tend to produce fewer goods. And U.S. companies earn less.

The economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 per cent in the final three months of 2011. For 2011, it expanded by just 1.7 per cent, roughly half the rate in 2010.

However, that forecast could prove too optimistic if the slowdown in Europe worsens, given that this region is a top market for U.S. exports.

For the year, the deficit with China climbed to an all-time high of $295.5 billion, up 8.2 per cent from the previous record set in 2010. Both imbalances were the largest ever recorded with a single country. Those deficits, coming at a time of high unemployment, have triggered calls in Congress for a crack-down on what critics see as unfair Chinese trade practices such as the country's undervalued currency.