This helps keep Germany's huge surplus of exports competitively priced.

In other words a positive balance of trade ought to be maintained, with a surplus of exports.

And no wonder: After a few years of narrowing, Japan's surplus of exports over imports is heading for a record $135 billion.

Any overall surplus of exports over imports would result from an excess of saving and a lack of consumption and investment within the economy.

Hume held that any surplus of exports that might be achieved would be paid for by imports of gold and silver.

Drug research has become as international as medicine itself, and pharmaceuticals are among the few products in which the U.S. has a surplus of exports over imports.

The January surplus of exports over imports was $8.45 billion, after adjustment for seasonal factors, up from $7.09 billion in December, the Finance Ministry said today.

On Wednesday, representatives of 200 companies with interests in Mexico will display products at the White House in an effort to portray American reliance on trade with Mexico, with which the United States runs a hefty surplus of exports over imports.