It doesn’t make sense at first, but sometimes countries actually want their currencies to be worth less. Of course, if everyone tried to do it at the same time, disaster would ensue…

• The G-20 – a group of financial leaders from 19 nations and the European Union – met this weekend in South Korea to discuss economic policies related to global economic stability.
• One of the goals of this meeting was to encourage countries to end “competitive devaluation of currencies.” Devaluing your country’s currency makes it cheaper for other countries to buy from you, and more expensive for your citizens to import goods from other countries. This can boost domestic production and export profits. When a country devalues its currency, other countries often do the same so they can remain competitive in the export market.
• Both China and the U.S. were singled out for recently devaluing their currencies. Though the G-20 hasn’t set up specific regulations and wouldn’t have the power to enforce them if it had, the hope is that public shaming will keep finance ministers around the world in line.

Facts & Figures

• China is currently taking in 4% more money than it is expending, reflecting a favorable balance of trade.
• The U.S. is spending 3.2% more money than it is taking in, indicating a trade deficit.
• As of Monday morning, one euro was worth $1.39, and one dollar was worth 81.31 yen.

Best Quote

“I want the market to value the fact that we were able to forge a certain level of agreement.” –  Yoshiko Noda, Japanese Finance Minister