However, these impacts are small because imports account for only about 10 percent of the nation's economic activity.

Imports account for about 43 percent of the $4.3 billion machine tool industry.

Last year, imports accounted for more than half of American oil consumption.

All told, imports account for almost half of American apparel sales.

In 2000, imports accounted for about 27 percent of domestic consumption.

Imports now account for 1 percent of the North American market.

Imports have been rising even more sharply, and now account for just over half the oil the country uses.

Imports accounted for half of the wine sold in Russia last year.

The impact is further diluted by the fact that imports account for less than 15 percent of national spending.

Lower imports accounted for somewhat more than half the December improvement.