<div id="readability-page-1">Trade gap surge: India's April trade deficit hit a record $28.38 billion, fueled by higher crude imports and a weak rupee amid Middle East tensions. Aluminum scarcity: Middle East conflict has choked aluminum supply, causing shortages of products like Diet Coke in India and pushing metal prices to four-year highs. Inflation outlook: Analysts and the Cleveland Fed expect U.S. inflation to rise further in May, with no near-term relief as supply disruptions persist.</div>

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<p>India's trade deficit reached a record $28.38 billion in April, driven by increased crude imports and a weak rupee amid Middle East tensions. The conflict has led to aluminum shortages, affecting products like Diet Coke and pushing metal prices to four-year highs. Analysts predict U.S. inflation will continue to rise in May due to ongoing supply disruptions.</p>

- India recorded a significant trade deficit of $28.38 billion in April, driven by increased crude oil imports and a depreciating rupee amidst regional tensions.  
- Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have led to aluminum shortages, affecting product availability in India and resulting in a spike in metal prices to a four-year peak.  
- In the U.S., analysts, including those from the Cleveland Fed, predict a further rise in inflation for May due to ongoing supply disruptions, with no immediate alleviation expected.

India's record trade gap deepens as Middle East conflict fuels shortages