"More flexibility would mean greater growth, greater consumption and greater opportunity for foreign exporters."

The "Buy American" clause in the $787bn stimulus package passed by Congress was watered down by the White House but remains an obstacle for foreign exporters.

Although many unscrupulous foreign exporters are jittery about the amendment, it is doubtful that a single photographer in Singapore has even noticed.

At issue is the technique used in determining whether foreign exporters are "dumping" their products in the United States market.

Many foreign exporters have also been wary of sending new shipments until the mess can be sorted out, compounding the shortages.

Almost everybody shares the American annoyance with Japanese officials, and the conviction that foreign exporters and Japanese consumers alike would benefit from a liberalization of rules.

However, in practice, anti-dumping laws are usually used to impose trade tariffs on foreign exporters.

Japan has done this too often in response to the complaints of foreign exporters.

Likewise, any penalties apply broadly to foreign exporters and are not tailored to punish specific countries or companies viewed as practicing unfair competition.

Mexican and foreign exporters have been allowed to sell their tuna on American shelves but have largely stayed away, saying they need the dolphin-safe label to compete.