Trade talks. Deficit. Car concessions. Jobs, jobs, jobs.

Ask people what they remember most about President Bush's recent 12-day trade mission to Asia, and you'll likely hear a few guffaws about the commander-in-chief's weak stomach.

While Bush should be lauded for his attempts to lessen the $40-billion U.S.-Japan trade deficit, his efforts will do little -- if anything -- to pull the country out of its fiscal quagmire.

And with the New Hampshire primary right around the political corner, Bush's mission looks suspiciously like a publicity stunt aimed at impressing American voters.

The trip was nothing more than a Band-Aid slapped on a festering economy and will not help America's jobless.

Such a shortsighted, quick-fix attempt to solve the United States' financial mess is superficial and intended only to improve Bush's languishing image. This became more evident when Bush proclaimed the talks a fantastic success, even as businesspeople and economists -- including the Detroit executives who accompanied him on the trip -- declared it a failure.

One problem in Bush's courtship of Japan is the lack of interest in U.S.-made cars and auto parts. True trade progress will not come until American products are made more attractive to consumers, which means quality and not quantity must improve.

Another problem is the U.S.-Japan trade history. Japan has made concessions to the United States before, but rarely lives up to its promises.

The trade deficit can be whittled down through continued pressure on Japan, not by one publicity trip held for the Bush World Tour photo album.

Bush should concentrate on opening Japan's closed markets for other U.S.-made goods that are highly competitive, like semiconductors, computers and telecommunications equipment.

Until Bush makes a true commitment to solving the nation's economic woes, the United States will continue to lose its grip on the superpower status it so cherishes.