Once a great ship is in motion, it tends to stay in motion. It will neither slow nor change direction very quickly. And if that is true of a single ship, could it also be true of something much larger? Could cargo flows into the United States be so massive, and possess so much inertia, that they would resist any sudden change?  The question is timely. At present, there is no shortage of dispiriting economic news. Financial turmoil. Rising energy prices. Declining consumer confidence. A weakening dollar. Given such conditions, will the flow of imported goods continue to rise or even be sustained?   more...