This thesis examines the extent of J-curve effects in U.S. foreign trade between 1971 and 1989. Three distinct types of trade were specified and examined for this purpose: (1) aggregate; (2) by individual countries; (3) by products. The empirical findings indicate that the aggregate trade balance of the United States displayed the J-curve pattern in reaction to relative price changes during the period and the J-curve effect also held for trade with some countries and by some products.