61.   The report came just eight days before a U.S.-imposed deadline in the auto talks.

62.   The sanctions, which could bring a further decline for the dollar, were expected following the breakdown of auto trade talks over the weekend.

63.   The semiconductor experience explains much of the impasse in the auto trade talks, analysts say.

64.   The two governments broke off auto trade talks in October but agreed last week to resume them later this month.

65.   The separate U.S.-Japan auto trade talks face a deadline just five days off.

66.   The U.S. delegation will be led by U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor, who is scheduled to arrive in Denver after holding auto trade talks with Japan.

67.   The U.S. dollar slipped against the Japanese yen Wednesday morning on growing pessimism over the outcome of the U.S.-Japanese auto trade talks.

68.   The U.S. dollar was trading lower against the Japanese yen at mid-afternoon in a muted reaction to the breakdown of U.S.-Japan auto talks over the weekend.

69.   The U.S. dollar was trading lower against the Japanese yen at midafternoon Wednesday on growing pessimism over the outcome of U.S.-Japan auto trade talks.

70.   The United States has threatened to impose sanctions against Japanese imports if the auto talks fail.