The International Herald Tribune, November 10-th, 2006

№ 9

Yen falls against dollar on u.S. Trade data

The dollar touched a two-week high Thursday against the yen after a government report showed that the U.S. trade deficit in September narrowed more than economists forecast.

The report, showing the lowest shortfall since April, spurred speculations that there may be less demand to sell dollars to finance imports into the United States. The trade deficit requires the conversion of dollars to foreign currencies to pay for overseas purchases.

The trade gap, the amount by which imports exceed exports, declined to $64.3 billion in September from $69 billion in August. The deficit fell 6.8 percent, the biggest drop in almost two years, the Commerce Department said in Washington. The narrowing deficit gave the dollar a boost.

The gap narrowed even as the United States rang up a record trade bill with China that may rekindle debate on trade sanctions.

Lower energy prices along with a weaker dollar that is making American goods cheaper abroad may help stabilize the trade deficit in the coming months, economists said.

Exports rose to a record as U.S. companies shipped more capital equipment like industrial engines, telecommunications equipment and aircraft.

The International Herald Tribune, November 10-th, 2006

№ 10

Japan’s trade surplus drops sharply Latest data spur concern that economy may slump further

An unexpectedly sharp drop in Japan’s trade surplus for January, reported Wednesday, and rising oil prices are raising concern that a slump in the world’s second largest-economy that began last year will continue.

The government said that the merchandise trade surplus declined 60 per cent in January from a year earlier, to ¥ 200.76bn.

The trade surplus narrowed as export growth unexpectedly slowed for a month, hurt by drop in shipments of electronic goods and autos.

The disappointing trade figure added to worries about the state of the economy following data last week showing that Japan slipped into a mild recession last year as exports stalled and consumer spending weakened.

As usual, the fate of Japan’s economy as a whole depends to a large degree on the health of its exporters. Strong exports were the main driver of a robust economic expansion in the first quarter of 2004, and a slowdown in the sector was one of the key reasons for the three straight quarters of economic contraction since then.

Exports rose 3.2 percent in January from a year earlier, the slowest pace of growth in more than a year. Meanwhile, imports jumped 11.6 percent, driven by higher prices for oil and steel.

International Herald Tribune, February 24, 2005

№ 11

Europe scolds china on trade and currency

The European Union told China on Tuesday to open up a “two-way street” for global commerce or face complaints at the World Trade Organization and barriers to booming exports of goods like clothes, shoes and electronic goods.

A critical indication of looming problems between the two sides was the large and growing trade gap, EU officials said. While Chinese exports to the European Union during 2005 were worth €158 billion, European exports to China were worth €52 billion, the European Union said in a newly issued paper on trade relations with China.

The EU also called on China to allow the value of its currency to rise to cool demand for Chinese goods in Europe, and to make European products more attractive to Chinese buyers.

The EU said that it would not hesitate to use so-called trade defense measures, which can include higher duties and other sanctions.

The EU also criticized high tariffs China has imposed on some European exports, including fur, ceramics, steel and vehicles, and complained about “unreasonable sanitary and health requirements” that hamper exports of farm products from Europe.

Costly and complex procedures laid down in Beijing were a particular problem for telecommunications companies and banks seeking to do business in China, the EU said.

The International Herald Tribune, October 25-th, 2006