Over all, that's fine; the protectionist legislation that might have passed is temporarily shelved.

The imbalance is also likely to keep up the pressure in Congress for protectionist legislation.

With Congress debating fiercely protectionist legislation, the encouraging trade news couldn't have come at a better time.

But, incredibly, some Congressional leaders now say that the financial crisis makes protectionist legislation all the more urgent.

"We didn't get protectionist legislation, and the dollar's decline did not create problems in the United States."

The textile industry narrowly lost a bid last year for stronger protectionist legislation.

Some other politicians hope to use the dismal trade numbers to gain support for protectionist legislation to benefit one industry or another.

Brazil will try to make its computer industry more competitive and lower prices by gradually doing away with protectionist legislation.

"We do not expect that protectionist legislation will become law."

And we must say a flat no to blatant protectionist legislation.