The G-20 meeting in Mexico resulted in Chancellor Merkel being the PINATA for the other 19 guests as they beat her with the stick of moral certainty. U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner and President Obama were adamant that it was Germany’s moral responsibility to capitulate and be the co-signer for the European Project and thus the global financial system. The onus was put on Frau Merkel to take the great leap forward and have Germany underwrite all the profligate programs of European nations.
Posts Tagged ‘exports’
Notes From Underground: Why Is It That Angela Merkel IS the DESIGNATED DRIVER FOR WORLD FINANCE??
June 26, 2012Notes From Underground: Obama pushes for huge export growth while Geithner favors a strong dollar mantra–somebody is singing from the wrong sheet
November 7, 2010Friday’s U.S. unemployment data showed that job growth was better than estimated. This is insignificant as long as the FED has signed on to a continued dose of quantitative easing. In the eyes of the FED and its dual mandate, the 9.6 percent unemployment rate is a problem. As the economy improves, the unemployment rate will be sticky to the high side as more people re-enter the job market. If the FED solely focuses on the rate, there is no question that the FED will remain aggressive in pumping up the volume of liquidity. The U.S. action is not being positively viewed and the Germans are voicing the loudest criticism. In an interview widely broadcast throughout the world, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble called the U.S. policy “clueless.”
In Saturday’s New York Times, President Obama had an op-ed in which he cited the United States’s need to double exports by 2015. At the same time, Secretary Geithner maintained the mantra of a strong DOLLAR policy. What needs to be addressed is that if U.S. exports are to become more competitive to boost sales, either the DOLLAR must depreciate or wages must decrease on a relative global basis. The easiest path from a political perspective is for the DOLLAR to depreciate and Geithner better get with the program. Geithner’s constant repetition of his strong DOLLAR MANTRA is being ridiculed as it flies in the face of the road that the FED has walked down. Again, we criticize all of Washington for its inability to coordinate policy as the different policy makers seem to all be singing from a different song sheet.
While U.S. data was better, the German factory orders were much weaker than expected. Analysts were mixed as to why factory orders fell so dramatically. Some blamed the incipient austerity in the PIIGS while some Germans pointed to the recent strength in the EURO as the main culprit. During the weekend, the Greeks went to the election booth and the regional elections were mixed, but the Socialists appeared to poll strong enough to prevent the sitting government to have to call new national elections. Another important concern in the Euro arena is the Portuguese debt situation.
Last week the 10-year Portuguese/BUND spread went out to record highs. However, on Friday the Chinese leaders were in Lisbon and made noises about their desire to buy Portuguese debt. If this proves out then the BUND/PORTUGUESE spread should narrow. If not then we will know the Chinese statement is mere noise and we can look forward to greater stress in the European sovereign debt markets.
If favorable news cannot remove the recent stress in the European sovereigns it will be time to worry about the PIIGS again. This week brings the G-20 meeting and we advise all to pay attention to what evolves from the conclave of world leaders. Let the posturing begin.
Notes From Underground: Kan faces a big test within the DPJ–can he remain prime minister?
July 11, 2010The biggest story from the weekend was the release of the Chinese trade numbers and surprisingly the export component rose 44 percent year-over-year, while the imports slowed resulting in an increase in the trade surplus.We know that this will not play well in Washington and will provide fresh fodder for the protectionist drumbeat that is looking for more participants to march along.