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November 11, 2008 | Getting out of Bretton Woods Was a Bad Idea

Although little can be done until the financial crisis is over, it is time to think about exchange rate reform now. ++ Asian countries devalued their own currency while hording US dollar reserves to boost employment and growth. ++ This excess was pushed into housing bubbles in the US and UK by expansionary policies that fired up credit expansions. ++ Countries’ reserve needs must be met,

September 5, 2008 | The Bank Must End the "Euro's Wild Rise"

The downturn of economic activity in the Eurozone has come as a surprise. ++ The twin shock of the exchange rate of the euro and oil prices squeezed profits from exporting firms. ++ The opposite has happened in the US, where the export sector is booming. ++ The European Central Bank allowed this to happen by only caring about price stability and allowing massive euro appreciation. ++ The ECB

May 31, 2007 | Bruegel Says Worldwide Exchange Rates Adjustment Would Fight Current Account Deficits

The March 2007 Bruegel Policy Brief reveals that imbalances in global current account positions are not sustainable and need adjustment. A 15% depreciation of the dollar and an appreciation of Asian currencies is needed in order to:

• reduce the US current account deficit,
• faciliate China’s focus on domestic demand and reduce its accumulation of foreign exchange reserves, and
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