Discounters and other retailers said the decision would encourage such imports and tend to stabilize prices of many goods.

"The purpose of our tariff cut is to encourage imports and liberalize our market," she said.

Trade policy fell victim to benign neglect, while economic policy encouraged imports and consumption.

Influenced by world politics, it encouraged American investment and imports.

It dampens exports because it makes their prices higher for potential foreign purchasers, and encourages imports, which become cheaper.

The trade figures are expected to strengthen claims by the Japanese that they have gone far to encourage imports and reduce their enormous surpluses.

A country whose economy relies mostly on oil exports inevitably has an exchange rate that encourages imports and hinders exports.

Credits will be needed to stabilize the ruble and encourage imports of consumer goods to keep a lid on prices.

Exchange rates held up artificially high by interest rates prejudice exports and encourage imports,' he said.

This encourages greater imports and discourages exports, so net exports become lower.