Nur wenn die Fed den Dollar stärkt (durch höhere Zinsen) und damit die Inflationsgefahr bannt, kommt genug ausländisches Kapital zur Finanzierung der Defizite nach USA, sagt jetzt Fed-Vizechef Donald Kohn (Artikel unten).
Das ist schon seit Jahresanfang mein Argument für den Dollar, auch hier:
http://www.ariva.de/board/256989Fiele der Dollar unkontrolliert, würde das finanzielle Kartenhaus der USA in sich zusammenfallen. Das kann sich weder USA noch die Welt leisten.
Volkswirtschaften mit hohen Schulden mussten bislang IMMER ihre Zinsen erhöhen, um Ausländer, die dort investieren, für das dadurch erhöhte Risiko zu entschädigen. In diese Richtung geht nun auch USA, die sich nur auf Grund der Tatsache, dass sie die Weltmacht ist, auch mal kurz (2002 bis 2004) ein 1-%-Zins-Intermezzo leisten konnte, ohne einen Absturz zu riskieren (der Dollarverfall von Parität in 2003 bis 1,28 heute kann IMHO noch nicht als Absturz gelten, da er innerhalb der Grenzen der langfristigen Schwankungsbreite liegt).
THE FED
Fed would play role in reversing trade gapCentral bank can do its part by protecting the dollar, Kohn says
By Greg Robb, MarketWatch
Last Update: 1:20 PM ET Jul 6, 2006
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The Federal Reserve can best help any unwinding of the enormous U.S. current account gap by keeping inflation in check and
making sure the public remains confident that the purchasing power of the dollar will not "erode unexpectedly," said Fed vice-chairman Donald Kohn.
The nation's current account deficit, the broadest measurement of U.S. trade, is approaching a record $800 billion, or the equivalent of 6.5% of gross domestic product.
The current account gap has been widening steadily since 1997. The U.S. economy has been relatively stronger than its trading partners, and U.S. consumers have been on a buying spree. At the same time, demand for U.S. exports has not kept pace.
This imbalance isn't sustainable indefinitely, Kohn said Thursday during a European economic seminar at the House of Commons in London. Read full text of Kohn's remarks.
But nothing on the economic horizon suggests any sudden shift in the trend, he said.
The eventual unwinding is likely to be smooth, if appropriate policies are followed, Kohn said.
"Continued strong demand for dollar assets will be critical to keeping that unwinding smooth and not disruptive," Kohn said, adding that the Fed "can contribute by being sure the public remains confident that the purchasing power of their dollar assets will not erode unexpectedly."
Economists say that in order for the trade gap to adjust, there must be some decline in the dollar, which would raise import prices. Financial markets are worried about a sharp decline in the value of the greenback, but even a gradual weakening of the dollar raises the possibility of further inflationary pressures.
Kohn, however, said that a weaker dollar may only cause a temporary blip in inflation.
"As long as inflation expectations remain contained, relatively faster growth of the prices of imported goods for a time would be associated with only a temporary bulge in inflation and would result in a needed change in relative prices," Kohn said. He noted that the central bank learned a lesson in the 1970s that an unchecked increase in inflation would reduce demand for dollars.
"Such an unmooring of the anchor of price stability could only elevate the odds on abrupt changes in interest rates and asset prices, instability in the U.S. economy and disorder in global adjustments," Kohn said. The Fed's monetary-policy tools can only react to the imbalances and should not be used to initiate a trade deficit adjustment, he said.
A hike in Fed interest rates may help U.S. households save, reducing the need for foreign investment. But foreign capital would be attracted by higher U.S. interest rates, and it could boost the value of the dollar.
Other countries need to do their part to reduce imbalances, Kohn said. "For example, increased exchange-rate flexibility in key Asian currencies will be essential to enable the monetary authorities to contain inflation through market-oriented policies rather than inefficient direct controls," Kohn said. The U.S. and its trading partners must also make sure the global trading system is not hamstrung by protectionism, Kohn said.