The History of the US Trade Deficit

The History of the US Trade Deficit One measure of a countrys economic health and stability is its balance of trade, which is the difference between the value of imports and the value of exports over a defined period. A positive balance is known as a trade surplus, which is characterized by exporting more (in terms of value) than is imported into the country. A negative balance, which is defined by importing more than is exported, is called a trade deficit or a trade gap. A positive balance of trade or trade surplus is favorable, as it indicates a net inflow of capital from foreign markets into the domestic economy. When a country has a surplus, it also has control over the majority of its currency in the global economy, which reduces the risk of falling currency value.  Although the United States has always been a major player in the international economy, it has suffered a trade deficit for the last several decades. History of the Trade Deficit In 1975, U.S. exports  exceeded imports by $12,400 million, but that would be the last trade surplus the United States would see in the 20th century. By 1987, the American trade deficit had swelled to $153,300 million. The trade gap began sinking in subsequent years as the dollar depreciated and economic growth in other countries led to increased demand for U.S. exports. But the American trade deficit swelled again in the late 1990s. During this period, the U.S. economy  was once again growing faster than the economies of Americas major trading partners, and Americans consequently were buying foreign goods at a faster pace than people in other countries were buying American goods. The financial crisis in Asia sent currencies in that part of the world plummeting, making their goods much cheaper in relative terms than American goods. By 1997, the American trade deficit  hit $110,000 million and heading higher. Trade Deficit Interpreted American officials have viewed the U.S. trade balance with mixed feelings. Over the last several decades, inexpensive imports  have aided in the prevention of inflation, which some policymakers once viewed as a possible threat to the U.S. economy in the late 1990s. At the same time, many Americans worried that this new surge of imports would damage domestic industries. The American steel industry, for instance, was worried about a rise in imports of low-priced steel as foreign producers turned to the United States after Asian demand shriveled. Although foreign lenders were generally more than happy to provide the funds Americans needed to finance their trade deficit, U.S. officials worried (and continue to worry) that at some point those same investors might grow wary. If investors in American debt change their investing behavior, the impact would be detrimental to the American economy as the value of the dollar is driven down, U.S. interest rates  are forced higher, and economic activity is stifled.

Restrictive Appositives

Restrictive Appositives Restrictive Appositives Restrictive Appositives By Maeve Maddox Bob asks: Could you please explain restrictive appositives (Like, Have you read the novel a Separate Peace). Where you dont use commas. I find it a bit confusing. If you need a refresher, an appositive is: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words. Look at these appositive examples, all of which rename insect: The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table. Nouns are said to be in apposition when a noun or noun phrase is used to identify, define, or tell more about a preceding noun. When the appositive noun (the second one) is essential to the meaning of the sentence, it is said to be restrictive. In that case, no comma is used: Have you read the novel A Separate Peace? A Separate Peace specifies which novel is meant. It is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. When the appositive noun provides additional information that can be omitted without altering the sentences main thought, it is said to be nonrestrictive. George Clooney, the actor, is a social activist. The actor is additional information. Commas are used to separate it from the main thought. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Words for Facial ExpressionsUsing the Active Voice to Strengthen Your WritingWords Often Misspelled Because of Double Letters

An Earthquake Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

An Earthquake Report - Assignment Example Because the coast was just above the lower edge of the rupture area along the interplate boundary, it moved towards the east up to 4 meters while the coastline went lower by about 0.5 meters. (USGS) Media coverage of the catastrophe showed the damage which included cars being washed away, fires, infrastructure being destroyed and a leak from an atomic power plant in the area. I can only imagine how it is like to feel an earthquake. In my opinion, the media coverage on this particular earthquake was quite accurate. Although the only technical data most media companies had shared was the magnitude of the earthquake, how great the extent of the damage was and where the tremor originated, the numbers together with the footage were enough for me to understand the significance of this disaster for Japan. The words used in the reports appropriately described the effects of the earthquake and tsunami. The photos and videos shown were actual circumstances which told the truth to audiences who would not have time to read the