The breakup of the commune system had produced individual plots too small to use technology efficiently and farmers were now at the mercy of market forces and an economic policy which favored exports and the cities over the countryside.

Official government policy favored strong cattle development and exports, a view articulated in national livestock programs since the early 1960s.

Protectionist policies were enacted that limited imports and favored exports.

Now, agencies that fail to provide timely objections will be deemed to concur with the Commerce Department, which generally favors exports.

Argentina was the 14th fastest growing economy in 2010 spurred substantially by a stable exchange rate that favors exports and maintains Argentina's consistent fiscal and trade surpluses.

Labor leaders point out, however, that the trade deficit also swelled last year, despite a weak dollar, which would normally favor exports over imports by making American goods less expensive in foreign markets.

With the dollar having lost about 12 percent of its value against the euro and the yen since February, many politicians, most recently Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill, have cheerily forecast a more drastic shift in trade favoring exports over imports.

Why would Senator Domenici favor increasing exports of bomb-grade uranium that could lead to the perfect terrorist weapon?

"A pattern in growth that favors exports and investment in plant and equipment is a desirable one for the sustainability of the economic expansion," said J. Antonio Villamil, the Commerce Department's new chief economist.

The rest of the world, particularly Japan and China, have built economic structures favoring production and exports.