The United States currently has a current account defi cit. How would each of the following events affect this defi cit, assuming no other changes?

a. U.S. economic growth slows relative to the rest of the world.

b. U.S. personal savings rates increase.

c. U.S. federal budget defi cits decline.

d. Foreign rates of return (in fi nancial assets)

rise relative to rates of return in the United States.