The improving trade performance, if it continues, would be good news for the American economy.

A stronger trade performance would reduce pressure for a weaker dollar, he said.

It is not hard to see why the trade performance has been disappointing.

America turned in its best trade performance in nearly a decade last year.

In effect, the Administration hoped for an easy route to improving trade performance.

The blame for the decline fell on the summer drought and a weaker trade performance.

Bush Administration officials said the latest figures were evidence that the nation's trade performance would continue to improve through the end of the year.

An improved trade performance and less reliance on foreign capital would be the result.

A negative trade performance usually sends the dollar lower, and vice versa.

Analysts pointed to a disappointing trade performance in June, but said they were not alarmed.