Container ships at the Port of Oakland

Container ships at the Port of Oakland

U.S. exports dipped in January, the government said Thursday, but economists weren’t fazed. They predict export growth will be a bright spot for American manufacturers through the rest of 2010. President Barack Obama is banking on further improvement to help meet his ambitious goal of doubling exports within five years and creating 2 million U.S. jobs. Economists question whether Obama’s goals are achievable. But many think exports will keep expanding. A rebounding global economy and a resumption in the dollar’s slide would help spark demand for U.S. goods.

From the Associated Press, March 12, 2010