But the widening of the trade deficit had no negative effect on output and employment. Real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth averaged 4.3% during 1996-2000, productivity increased by 2.5% per year, and workers received their share of those gains as real compensation per hour rose at a 2.2% annual pace.
对这一时期的美国来说，进口增长快于出口。但贸易赤字的扩大并没有对产出和就业造成消极影响。1996—2000年，真实（经通胀调整的）GDP增长平均为4.3%，生产率每年提高2.5%，其中工人所获的好处——每小时真实报酬增长率为每年2.2%。2000年底，失业率下降到4%以下。