Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
clear sky
weather
OMAN
25°C / 25°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Japan’s Aso pushes back on US call for scrutiny of currency moves

991511
991511
minus
plus

WASHINGTON: Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Saturday trade imbalances cannot be fixed through exchange-rate adjustments alone, pushing back against Washington’s calls to have more rigorous IMF scrutiny of currency moves.


Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called on the International Monetary Fund to enhance surveillance of its members’ exchange rates and external imbalances, as large trade imbalances would hamper “free and fair” trade.


But Aso told the IMF’s steering committee there were limits to using exchange-rate assessments to address current account imbalances for a country like Japan.


That is because the recent increases in Japan’s current account surplus are driven largely by rising dividend payments and repatriation of revenues from investments, instead of any boost to exports from a weak yen.


“In cases where ‘excessive’ imbalances exist, they should be addressed by a package of macroeconomic and structural policy measures. Adjustment through changes in the exchange rate is not necessarily required” Aso said in a speech to the International Monetary and Financial Committee.


US President Donald Trump has criticised countries like Japan, Germany and China for running large trade surpluses with the United States and weakening their currencies to gain an unfair trade advantage.


“With downside risks and uncertainty persisting, the stability of financial and exchange rate markets is especially important,” Aso said. — Reuters


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon