News In Brief

Free-trade victory seen in bill OK'd by Congress

A comprehensive trade bill just approved by Congress contains some bows to protectionist pressures, but US exporters and administration officials say that on balance the legislation is a victory for free trade.

These measures were initially approved by either the House or Senate as a way to to turn back a flood of imports that has eliminated American jobs and was expected to push the US trade deficit to a record $130 billion this year.