My theme this evening is that America needs a competitive dollar. Martin Feldstein More Quotes by Martin Feldstein More Quotes From Martin Feldstein Although economists have studied the sensitivity of import and export volumes to changes in the exchange rate, there is still much uncertainty about just how much the dollar must change to bring about any given reduction in our trade deficit. Martin Feldstein reduction dollars given Increased government spending can provide a temporary stimulus to demand and output but in the longer run higher levels of government spending crowd out private investment or require higher taxes that weaken growth by reducing incentives to save, invest, innovate, and work. Martin Feldstein growth government running Unless the trade deficit shrinks, the combination of the trade deficit and the interest and dividend payments to foreigners will grow ever more rapidly. Martin Feldstein combination interest payment But then in April of 1985 the dollar began a sharp decline. The dollar's trade weighted value fell 23 percent in just 12 months and by a total of 37 percent by the beginning of 1988. Martin Feldstein aggravation dollars months A second reason why science cannot replace judgement is the behavior of financial markets. Martin Feldstein financial judgement reason-why An increase in the relative price of products from the low wage manufacturers in Asia and Latin America will also make those products less attractive to American consumers. Martin Feldstein usa latin america But because we in the United States finance our current account deficit by borrowing in our own currency, we can move to a more competitive dollar without the adverse effects that followed currency declines in other countries. Martin Feldstein adverse-effects country moving After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing volume of exports brings more yen and euros than they would if the dollar were more competitive. Martin Feldstein dollars volume giving But the primary reason for wanting the dollar to become more competitive in the near future is that we may need an increase in exports this year and in 2007 to sustain the economy's current pace of expansion. Martin Feldstein expansion dollars years Even if the dollar does decline during the coming months, the delays in the response of exports and imports to the more competitive dollar will mean that the increase in aggregate demand from this source may not happen for a year or more. Martin Feldstein months mean years Thirty years ago, many economists argued that inflation was a kind of minor inconvenience and that the cost of reducing inflation was too high a price to pay. No one would make those arguments today. Martin Feldstein cost pay years The price of imported oil in the US doubled between summer 2003 and summer 2005, reducing consumers' purchasing power by more than 1 per cent of gross domestic product. Martin Feldstein purchasing-power oil summer The good news is that a competitive dollar in the global market and a strong dollar at home are compatible in both the long run and during the transition to a more competitive dollar. Martin Feldstein strong home running To finance this trade deficit, the U.S. has to borrow from the rest of the world or sell American assets like stocks, businesses, and real estate to the rest of the world. Martin Feldstein finance real world So just as I want pilots on the planes that I fly, when it comes to monetary policy, I want to think that there is someone with sound judgement at the controls. Martin Feldstein judgement sound thinking Domestic inflation reflects domestic monetary policy. Martin Feldstein domestic-policy monetary-policy inflation First, I think the science of monetary economics has clearly gotten better. Martin Feldstein economics firsts thinking The only way that we can reduce our financial dependence on the inflow of funds from the rest of the world is to reduce our trade deficit. Martin Feldstein financial way world And finally, no matter how good the science gets, there are problems that inevitably depend on judgment, on art, on a feel for financial markets. Martin Feldstein investing matter art Inflation is lower and more stable and the real business cycle fluctuations are more modest. Martin Feldstein fluctuation modesty real
