Analysts Say Success in Iraq May Not Aid Economy Soon

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>The United States' success last week in the Iraq war was a positive step for the U.S. economy and the trucking industry, but may not provide the instant economic boost some are expecting, American Trucking Associations' Chief Economist Bob Costello said April 9.

“Certainly the war has been an important part of the economy for a while now, but we are still going to have to spend a lot of money and keep our troops over there for a long time,” Costello said.

Costello also said he is more pessimistic about the short-term economic outlook now than just a few months ago, based on recent reports showing a contraction in the manufacturing sector and a continued tight job market.