The US economy has suffered a poor first quarter as trade was hit by a resurgent dollar, a poor economic outlook and disruption at West Coast ports. <br /><br /> The government estimates GDP to shrink at an annual rate of 0.7 percent as opposed to the 0.2 percent forecast last month.<br /><br /> Certain parts of the US were hit by some serious snow, which has also had an impact on the figures.<br /><br /> Another downward trend has been consumer spending with Americans seemingly unwilling to splash to cash.<br /><br /> The numbers are only marginally better for the second quarter with economists summing up the mood as tepid.
