As a result, American productivity increases have not meant greater market share, lower imports, higher employment, or faster growth.

Of the $1.8 billion total narrowing in the deficit, higher exports accounted for about 40 percent and lower imports 60 percent.

The $1.8 billion improvement from August's figure reflected both higher exports and lower imports.

The bonus is that reined-in consumption would also help lower American imports.

About half that change reflected higher exports to Japan, including new cars, and the rest lower imports.

This change reflected both higher exports and lower imports.

Roughly two-thirds of the change came from lower imports, and the remainder from higher exports.

Last year's improvement in trade, reflecting higher exports and lower imports, contributed greatly to the 3.8 percent rise in overall economic growth.

Analysts were surprised by the lower imports because an earlier report showed a big jump in inventories held by wholesalers for the month.

Part of the reason juice inventories have drifted below last year is lower imports from Brazil, the world's largest producer.