By allowing the yuan to appreciate, China at least temporarily placated foreign trade partners that had expressed concern about the currency's value. However, the decision has done little to quell criticism from many U.S. policymakers and trade groups who are angry that the Obama administration refuses to brand China a "currency manipulator."
Still, while the yuan does need to appreciate, critics in the United States should remember that the dollar too is flawed, and that the uneven relationship between the two currencies has often worked to America's advantage.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has thrice declined to tag China as a currency manipulator in his biannual report to Congress. Geithner even delayed the release of the most recent report to give China more time to adjust its policy. That move paid off in June when just days ahead of the Group of 20 (G20) leaders' summit in Toronto, Beijing announced that it would allow the yuan to appreciate against the dollar. Since then, the currency has risen about 1% against the greenback.
Geithner, who made two visits to China in the spring for closed-door talks with top officials on the issue, called the policy shift a "significant step" in his report, but said the yuan remains "undervalued."
What matters now is "how far and how fast the renminbi [or yuan] appreciates," Geithner said, adding that the United States "will closely and regularly monitor the appreciation" of the currency.
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Taiwan Outlines Export Deal With China To Boost Its Economy and Open Door for Global Trade
Taiwan on Sunday announced a monumental trade deal with China that will boost the island's exports and shift its economy toward China-centric policies.
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) will reduce tariffs on 500 products exported from Taiwan to China and 200 products shipped from China to Taiwan including car parts and machinery. It will also open the door for Taiwan to be included in future free trade agreements that China previously prevented because it viewed Taiwan as a rebellious province.
"Signing the ECFA is a route that Taiwan must take and it is a milestone, " Liu Bih-rong, a political science professor at Soochow University in Taipei, told Bloomberg. "It signifies how the relationship between the two sides has recovered and, more importantly, it will pave the way for more free-trade agreements and benefits. "
The agreement's details still need to be ironed out and should be finalized by early July at the latest.
The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) will reduce tariffs on 500 products exported from Taiwan to China and 200 products shipped from China to Taiwan including car parts and machinery. It will also open the door for Taiwan to be included in future free trade agreements that China previously prevented because it viewed Taiwan as a rebellious province.
"Signing the ECFA is a route that Taiwan must take and it is a milestone, " Liu Bih-rong, a political science professor at Soochow University in Taipei, told Bloomberg. "It signifies how the relationship between the two sides has recovered and, more importantly, it will pave the way for more free-trade agreements and benefits. "
The agreement's details still need to be ironed out and should be finalized by early July at the latest.
The Tobin Tax: The Fix-It Plan Wall Street Hates ... But Can't Seem to Kill
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently came out in favor of a "Tobin tax" - a small tax on financial transactions, proportionate to the size of the transaction. The Tobin tax idea also has been proposed by Britain's former prime minister, Gordon Brown, and was proposed in Congress by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR.
Every time a Tobin tax is proposed, it has failed to gain traction - which isn't surprising: Wall Street, with its international affiliates and legion of lobbyists, hates the idea.
Even so, the Tobin tax idea just refuses to die - which is a good thing, since it is probably the best way of curing some of Wall Street's pathologies.
Every time a Tobin tax is proposed, it has failed to gain traction - which isn't surprising: Wall Street, with its international affiliates and legion of lobbyists, hates the idea.
Even so, the Tobin tax idea just refuses to die - which is a good thing, since it is probably the best way of curing some of Wall Street's pathologies.
To understand how the Tobin tax can benefit investors, please read on...
Why the Yuan Won't Be an Issue at the U.S. China Summit
The United States rolled out the big guns for the second Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) with China since the Obama administration took office. The two-day talks began yesterday (Monday) with such luminaries as U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke taking part in the Beijing summit.
The last Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the world's largest and third-largest economies was riddled with bickering over currencies and the placing of blame for the global recession. However, officials on both sides of the Pacific this time around have taken a more tempered approach in the hopes that more productive talks will emerge.
U.S. officials will undoubtedly make addressing the value of the yuan a priority, but if the meeting's cordial opening is any indication, they will do so humbly. That tactic would be well advised, considering the issue of currency valuation has been a major point of consternation between East and West.
The last Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the world's largest and third-largest economies was riddled with bickering over currencies and the placing of blame for the global recession. However, officials on both sides of the Pacific this time around have taken a more tempered approach in the hopes that more productive talks will emerge.
U.S. officials will undoubtedly make addressing the value of the yuan a priority, but if the meeting's cordial opening is any indication, they will do so humbly. That tactic would be well advised, considering the issue of currency valuation has been a major point of consternation between East and West.
China Continues Its Run on African Commodities With $23 Billion Nigeria Oil Deal
China signed a $23 billion oil deal with Nigeria Thursday, reducing Nigeria's fuel imports and positioning China within reach of high quality African oil reserves.
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC) signed the deal to build three oil refineries with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which said this could be the biggest deal China has ever made with Africa.
Nigeria, Africa's leading oil producer, imports about 85% of its fuel because of the poor condition of its refineries. Shehu Ladan, head of NNPC, said at the signing ceremony that the added refineries would reduce the $10 billion spent annually on imported refined products.
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC) signed the deal to build three oil refineries with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which said this could be the biggest deal China has ever made with Africa.
Nigeria, Africa's leading oil producer, imports about 85% of its fuel because of the poor condition of its refineries. Shehu Ladan, head of NNPC, said at the signing ceremony that the added refineries would reduce the $10 billion spent annually on imported refined products.
China-U.S. Trade Relations Plagued by Protectionism
China yesterday (Wednesday) slapped the U.S. chicken industry with the second set of tariffs in less than three months, further escalating tensions with its all-important Western trade partner.
China's commerce ministry said the new tariffs, which will impose charges of as much as 31.4% on imports of U.S. chicken, were a response to what it said were subsidies that created an unfair advantage for U.S. chicken producers.
China in February imposed a 105.4% duty on imports of U.S. poultry after a government investigation found that such products were being sold by the United States at less than the fair value. The new tariffs could altogether close off the market to U.S. poultry producers.
China and the United States have a long history of trade disputes, but these conflicts in recent years have escalated in both frequency and intensity as the two nations vie for global influence.
China's commerce ministry said the new tariffs, which will impose charges of as much as 31.4% on imports of U.S. chicken, were a response to what it said were subsidies that created an unfair advantage for U.S. chicken producers.
China in February imposed a 105.4% duty on imports of U.S. poultry after a government investigation found that such products were being sold by the United States at less than the fair value. The new tariffs could altogether close off the market to U.S. poultry producers.
China and the United States have a long history of trade disputes, but these conflicts in recent years have escalated in both frequency and intensity as the two nations vie for global influence.
China's Explosive GDP Growth May Force Government to Raise Yuan and Interest Rates
China's economy raced ahead in the first quarter at the fastest pace in almost three years, underscoring concerns about overheating and prompting speculation that the government will be forced to raise interest rates in addition to scrapping the yuan's peg to the dollar. China's gross domestic product (GDP) rang up unexpectedly strong annual growth of […]
Obama Gains Ground on China Trade Policies as Hu Refuses to Rule Out Floating Yuan
President Barack Obama pushed against potentially unfair trade policies on two fronts in Monday's meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao and appeared to win a small victory when Hu didn't completely rule out letting the yuan appreciate.
After Obama urged China to move toward a "more market-oriented exchange rate," Hu told him that his country wouldn't yield to "external pressure" in deciding when to adjust the yuan, Bloomberg News reported.
Obama also expressed "his concern" about some "market- access barriers in China," Jeff Bader, senior director for Asia at the National Security Council, told reporters after the meeting, which was held in conjunction with a gathering of world leaders in Washington to discuss nuclear security.
After Obama urged China to move toward a "more market-oriented exchange rate," Hu told him that his country wouldn't yield to "external pressure" in deciding when to adjust the yuan, Bloomberg News reported.
Obama also expressed "his concern" about some "market- access barriers in China," Jeff Bader, senior director for Asia at the National Security Council, told reporters after the meeting, which was held in conjunction with a gathering of world leaders in Washington to discuss nuclear security.
How to Profit from the New Iranian Sanction
Growing up in Massachusetts, my mother used to say, "Live long enough, and you'll see just about anything happen in politics."
And she was right.
A wrestler, a standup comic, several movie actors, and former sports figures have been elected to office; tea parties are back as a way of challenging leadership; even a disgraced former governor makes it onto "Celebrity Apprentice."
But she never saw this one coming - a U.S. sanctions move against Iran that may actually work... and make you some money in the process.
And she was right.
A wrestler, a standup comic, several movie actors, and former sports figures have been elected to office; tea parties are back as a way of challenging leadership; even a disgraced former governor makes it onto "Celebrity Apprentice."
But she never saw this one coming - a U.S. sanctions move against Iran that may actually work... and make you some money in the process.
Four Ways to Profit From a Business-Driven Rebound
Last week we learned that the U.S. economy expanded by a whopping 5.7% annual rate in the 2009 fourth quarter - the biggest jump since 2003. This was well ahead of the 4.5% consensus estimate and solidly beats the 2.2% growth rate achieved in last year's third quarter. The turnaround is the largest in almost three decades.
The main driver of the performance was a big slowdown in the rate at which businesses were drawing down their inventories. This alone contributed 3.4% to overall growth in the quarter. Paul Ashworth at Capital Economics in London believes that inventory rebuilding will continue to boost gross-domestic-product (GDP) growth for another two or three quarters.
But what happens after that - especially after the stimulus spending out of Washington winds down later this year? Will this rate of growth continue?
Investors who know the answer to that question will be the best-positioned to profit.
The main driver of the performance was a big slowdown in the rate at which businesses were drawing down their inventories. This alone contributed 3.4% to overall growth in the quarter. Paul Ashworth at Capital Economics in London believes that inventory rebuilding will continue to boost gross-domestic-product (GDP) growth for another two or three quarters.
But what happens after that - especially after the stimulus spending out of Washington winds down later this year? Will this rate of growth continue?
Investors who know the answer to that question will be the best-positioned to profit.
In an Uncertain Market, Defensive Investing is Smart - And Profitable
For U.S. investors looking to profit in the near term, the best offense may be a good defense.
"Defensive investing" becomes a mantra for investors who are seeking to navigate periods dominated by high risk, slow growth or excessive uncertainty. Given that the current market outlook probably contains an element of each of those scenarios, a strategy that includes elements of care and caution will make for a wise course of action.
This is actually a healthy thing, and will likely include a pause in the broader market. But all indicators point to the prospective pause being just that - not a new bear market, just a time out as overfed risk appetites take a breather before being reinvigorated.
Despite the emphatic negative trading session we saw on Friday, most of last week was rather buoyant, with a net gain in the broad market averages. Yet measures of internal market health continued their slow deterioration, with much more volume appearing on down days than up days.
My belief: U.S. stocks are in the process of remedying the overbought condition created by the big upward move in the first week of the year, as well as the overbought condition that's visible on some monthly charts.
"Defensive investing" becomes a mantra for investors who are seeking to navigate periods dominated by high risk, slow growth or excessive uncertainty. Given that the current market outlook probably contains an element of each of those scenarios, a strategy that includes elements of care and caution will make for a wise course of action.
This is actually a healthy thing, and will likely include a pause in the broader market. But all indicators point to the prospective pause being just that - not a new bear market, just a time out as overfed risk appetites take a breather before being reinvigorated.
Despite the emphatic negative trading session we saw on Friday, most of last week was rather buoyant, with a net gain in the broad market averages. Yet measures of internal market health continued their slow deterioration, with much more volume appearing on down days than up days.
My belief: U.S. stocks are in the process of remedying the overbought condition created by the big upward move in the first week of the year, as well as the overbought condition that's visible on some monthly charts.
For the Top Defensive Plays to Make Now, Read on...
Investment News Briefs
With our investment news briefs, Money Morning provides investors with a quick overview of the most important investing news stories from all around the world.
Total Forms Joint Venture with Chesapeake; Manufacturing Index Jumps; Cold Snap Drives Oil Higher; Car Sales Surge in December; Kraft Advances Bid for Cadbury; New BofA CEO Optimistic for U.S. This Year, But Krugman Shows Caution; WSJ: Banned Chinese Companies Continued to Do Business With U.S. Firms
Total Forms Joint Venture with Chesapeake; Manufacturing Index Jumps; Cold Snap Drives Oil Higher; Car Sales Surge in December; Kraft Advances Bid for Cadbury; New BofA CEO Optimistic for U.S. This Year, But Krugman Shows Caution; WSJ: Banned Chinese Companies Continued to Do Business With U.S. Firms
- Total SA (NYSE ADR: TOT) will pay up to $2.25 billion for a 25% stake in Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s (NYSE: CHK) assets in the Barnett Shale natural gas field in North Texas, Total said yesterday (Monday). Total will pay $800 million for the stake, and up to $1.45 billion for as long as six years by funding 60% of Chesapeake's costs in the field. The Barnett Shale field is the biggest producer of natural gas in the United States and accounted for 52% of Chesapeake's third-quarter output.
U.S. Escalates Trade Dispute With China
The United States launched another salvo in a trade dispute with China last week when it imposed new duties on imports of steel pipes, escalating tensions between the two powers.
The Chinese government quickly fired back, accusing the U.S. of "protectionism."
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted unanimously on December 30 to impose duties between 10.36% and 15.78% on the pipes, which are used mostly by the oil and gas industries. Those new tariffs are designed to negate the subsidies that the U.S. government says China gives its steelmakers.
The Chinese government quickly fired back, accusing the U.S. of "protectionism."
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted unanimously on December 30 to impose duties between 10.36% and 15.78% on the pipes, which are used mostly by the oil and gas industries. Those new tariffs are designed to negate the subsidies that the U.S. government says China gives its steelmakers.
Credit Trouble for Spain and Greece Spreads Fears of Sovereign Defaults
Standard & Poor's today (Wednesday) cut its credit outlook for Spain to "negative" from "stable," fanning concerns that sovereign defaults will spread throughout the global economy.
The dimmer outlook for Spain "reflects the risk of a downgrade within the next two years," S&P said.
It also increased fears among investors that the world could see a wave of global credit defaults. After the default of state-owned Dubai World forced investors to think twice about the recent rally in global stocks, Fitch Ratings Inc. on Tuesday cut Greece's credit rating to BBB+ from A-minus.
China Fuming Over the Latest U.S. Trade Complaint
There has been a spate of trade tiffs over the past few months, but relations appeared to be on the mend after a high-level meeting between trade officials at the Chinese city of Hangzhou. Now, as President Obama prepares to make his first official trip to China, tempers are again flaring.
The United States, Europe, and Mexico have asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to arrange a dispute settlement panel to investigate Chinese restrictions on exports of certain industrial metals. The WTO complaint claims that Chinese restrictions on exports such as bauxite and magnesium are driving up the prices of steel, aluminum, and chemical products.
"China's restrictions on raw materials continue to distort competition and increase global prices, making conditions for our companies even more difficult in this economic climate," said Catherine Ashton, the European Union's (EU) trade commissioner.
The United States, Europe, and Mexico have asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to arrange a dispute settlement panel to investigate Chinese restrictions on exports of certain industrial metals. The WTO complaint claims that Chinese restrictions on exports such as bauxite and magnesium are driving up the prices of steel, aluminum, and chemical products.
"China's restrictions on raw materials continue to distort competition and increase global prices, making conditions for our companies even more difficult in this economic climate," said Catherine Ashton, the European Union's (EU) trade commissioner.
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Beijing applies an export duty of as high as 15% on some of its materials. However, China's Ministry of Commerce contends that those duties are in place to protect the environment by increasing the cost of extraction. The ministry also disputed Ashton's claim that such taxes are making it harder for Western companies to emerge from the recession.