1.   A merged company would operate in an industry where global competition has intensified as countries have lowered access barriers to domestic telecommunication markets.

2.   In contrast, a tenet of the Nafta pact with Mexico and Canada is for those two countries to lower their barriers to U.S. exports.

3.   It would be better, economically, if the trade organization required an offending country to lower other trade barriers until it eliminated the one that prompted the dispute.

4.   Lower short-term rates, which the Fed controls, would stimulate the domestic economy and make it easier for other countries to lower their rates.

5.   Mueller said that Asian countries are lowering restrictions on foreign ownership of telecom companies because of huge demand for phone links from a growing middle class.

6.   Right now, U.S. negotiators want countries to lower barriers in their telecom markets to foreign ownership.

7.   She said the administration does not want other countries to lower their labor and environmental standards to attract investment.

8.   Baucus and other Democrats believe the bill must come with a requirement that countries not lower labor or environmental standards to gain a trade advantage.

9.   China is particularly concerned about strengthening its top companies to face increasing competition as the country lowers trade barriers.

10.   Euro countries lower interest rates.