The export picture also varied between different industries.

BBC: Scots export market suffers drop

The export picture is ugly, too.

FORBES: Bye-Bye Bordeaux

Lazear pointedly stated that he expects strong growth due to high productivity and low taxes, adding that "two trends are most important when looking at last year's economic picture and the scene as we move into 2007"--the labor market and export growth.

FORBES: Magazine Article