The quotas raised steel prices by almost 30% in the United States, which forced the U.S. container industry to close factories and cut jobs.

FORBES: Two Cheers For A Big U.S. Trade Deficit

And, as the container industry bought less steel from abroad, overseas firms had fewer dollars to buy U.S. products or to invest in the U.S. economy.

FORBES: Two Cheers For A Big U.S. Trade Deficit

The container-shipping industry has fared better because it is less fragmented.

ECONOMIST: Maersk orders ten colossal vessels

The part of the shipping industry headed for the choppiest waters is the container trade, which had steamed ahead gloriously since the mid-1970s.

ECONOMIST: Shipping in the downturn

Its 29 ports around the world would help Singapore's PSA, the second-biggest container port operator in the world, to gain ground on the industry leader, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

FORBES: Bidding War For Parker's P&O?

Its 29 ports around the world would help Singapore's PSA, the second-biggest container port operator in the world, to gain ground on the industry leader, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. of Hong Kong.

FORBES: Magazine Article