Readers Question: Discuss the circumstances in which reducing the exchange rate and introducing quotas are effective policies to tackle a trade deficit. The trade deficit occurs when the value of imports is greater than the value of exports. This could reflect a lack of competitiveness or high levels of consumer spending on imports. The trade …
People often refer to the idea of a Twin Deficit, especially in the US. The twin deficit refers to Government borrowing – government spending greater than tax revenues. Government borrowing creates an annual budget deficit and increases national debt. Current account deficit (imports greater than exports) on Balance of Payments US current account deficit 5% …
The capital account measures transfer in assets and liabilities. For example, this may involve a Japanese firm building a factory in the UK. This is counted as a credit on the UK Capital Account. The Capital account can also involve the purchase of securities and liabilities, for example, a Japanese Banker buying UK Government securities. …
In 2015, the German current account surplus surged to 8.5% of GDP. A record level and a surplus which has implications for the Eurozone and global economy. Source: Bundesbank The surplus is primarily due to the surplus on trade in goods. Though in recent years, there has also been a surplus in primary income. This …
In the 1960s, a big political issue was the size of the deficit. Not the budget deficit, but the current account deficit on the balance of payments. In recent years, worries about the balance of payments (current account deficit) have slipped from the political and media agenda. However, we have a very strong importance attached …
A trade deficit implies the value of imports of goods is greater than exports. (M>X) The trade deficit is an important component of the current account on the balance of payments. Sometimes people use a trade deficit and a current account interchangeably, but in the UK this is not correct. The current account also includes …
Readers question. Recent data suggests an increase in the current account deficit – is the depreciation of the UK pound ineffective or is it just a blip in exports that will resolve itself next quarter? The UK has experienced a persistent current account deficit since the mid 1980s (see: UK current account for more graphs) …
Readers Question: How does a current account surplus change demand in an economy? A current account surplus means that the value of exports is greater than the value of imports (of goods and services). Net exports is a component of Aggregate demand. (AD) = C+I+G+(X-M). Therefore a current account surplus means that the net exports …