According to the text, which of these is NOT a cited cause of the large U.S. trade deficits in recent years?

Correct answer: A high U.S. saving rate.

Explanation

The text identifies several key causes for the large U.S. trade deficits, including strong U.S. economic growth relative to partners, trade imbalances with China, rising oil prices, and a low domestic saving rate which fuels consumption, including of imported goods.

Other questions

Question 1

What are the two main categories of international financial transactions?

Question 2

What is the definition of a nation's balance of payments?

Question 3

Based on the 2007 data provided in the text, what was the U.S. balance on goods?

Question 4

What two accounts comprise the balance on the capital and financial account?

Question 5

Why must the balance of payments always sum to zero?

Question 6

Under a flexible-exchange-rate system, what determines the exchange rate between two currencies?

Question 7

What does it mean if the U.S. dollar depreciates relative to the British pound?

Question 8

If U.S. consumers develop a stronger preference for British goods, what is the likely effect on the exchange rate under a flexible system?

Question 9

What does the purchasing-power-parity theory suggest about exchange rates?

Question 10

If real interest rates rise in the United States while staying constant in Great Britain, what is the expected impact on the exchange rate?

Question 11

How do flexible exchange rates automatically correct a U.S. balance-of-payments deficit caused by an increase in demand for British pounds?

Question 12

What is considered a major disadvantage of flexible exchange rates?

Question 13

Under a fixed-exchange-rate system, how would a country like the United States deal with a payments deficit that creates a shortage of pounds?

Question 14

What is a primary objection to using trade policies like tariffs and quotas to maintain a fixed exchange rate?

Question 15

What term describes the current international exchange-rate system, which began after 1971?

Question 17

What is a major implication of the U.S. trade deficit for American consumers and the nation's indebtedness?

Question 18

What is the primary role of currency speculators in the foreign exchange market?

Question 19

According to the 'Last Word' section, how can speculation have a positive effect on foreign exchange markets?

Question 20

What is the capital account in the U.S. balance of payments primarily a measure of?

Question 21

In the balance of payments, U.S. exports of goods are recorded with a plus sign. Why?

Question 22

What is the 'financial account' in the balance of payments designed to summarize?

Question 23

Based on the 2007 data provided, the U.S. financial account had a surplus of $741 billion. What does this surplus signify?

Question 24

What is the definition of a balance-of-payments deficit?

Question 25

Why is the demand curve for a foreign currency, such as the British pound, downward-sloping from the U.S. perspective?

Question 26

What happens to the value of the British pound relative to the U.S. dollar if the dollar appreciates?

Question 27

Which of these is NOT a method for a government to maintain a fixed exchange rate when faced with a payments deficit?

Question 28

What is a major criticism leveled against the current managed floating exchange rate system?

Question 29

Why would currency speculators who expect the U.S. dollar to depreciate relative to the pound act in a way that creates a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Question 30

What is the function of hedging in the futures market for a U.S. company that has contracted to buy Swiss watches in 3 months?

Question 31

In the balance of payments, net investment income is the difference between what two figures?

Question 32

If a U.S. automobile dealer contracts to buy 10 British cars for 150,000 pounds when the exchange rate is $2 per pound, what is the initial expected dollar cost? If the dollar depreciates to $3 per pound before payment, what is the new dollar cost?

Question 33

What is the term for the group of major nations, including the United States, Canada, Japan, and Germany, that meet regularly to coordinate economic policies?

Question 34

What is the primary difference between a trade deficit and a current account deficit?

Question 35

In the context of the balance of payments, net transfers are included in the current account. What do these transfers include?

Question 36

If a country has a financial account surplus, what does this imply about asset transactions?

Question 37

What is the relationship between a country's current account balance and its capital and financial account balance?

Question 38

If a country is running a persistent balance-of-payments deficit under a fixed-exchange-rate system, what is the ultimate risk?

Question 39

What is meant by the term 'currency intervention'?

Question 40

One of the major arguments in favor of the managed float system is that it has:

Question 41

What is the primary way a large capital and financial account surplus might contribute to a large trade deficit in the U.S.?

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential consequence of the large and persistent U.S. trade deficits?

Question 43

According to the Big Mac index example, if the U.S. dollar price of a Big Mac in Britain is higher than the price in the U.S., the purchasing-power-parity theory implies that:

Question 44

If a government uses domestic macroeconomic adjustments to maintain a fixed exchange rate in the face of a payments deficit, what would be the likely policy and outcome?

Question 45

In 2007, the U.S. had a trade deficit in goods of $816 billion and a trade surplus in services of $107 billion. What was the balance on goods and services?

Question 46

Which two major components are part of the U.S. current account?

Question 47

If speculators believe a country will enter a major recession, how is this likely to affect its currency value?

Question 48

What is the primary risk associated with a country financing a large and persistent trade deficit?

Question 49

If the exchange rate is $2 equals 1 pound, what is the pound price of a dollar?

Question 50

Which of the following would NOT be a transaction recorded in a country's balance of payments?