U.S. Current Account Deficit: Global Implications

Abstract

United States current account deficit stood at 6.5 per cent of her Gross Domestic product (GDP) in 2005, which is almost twice of her last highest deficit in 3.4 per cent of GDP in 1987. The deficit is primarily grown due to huge merchandise trade deficit which is increasing since 1991s. Several reasons have put forward in order to explain this deficit, for e.g. U.S. budget deficits, low private household savings, increased savings by the rest of the world, China's pegged exchange rate etc. It seems that global economy, particularly emerging economies have grown at the expense of the U.S. current account balance. An important issue is how long this deficit will continue and to what extent other economies will be affected when correction begins. An adjustment with or without government intervention would lead to a substantial depreciation of dollar, which implies a downgrading of dollar as an 'international reserve currency.' The U.S. current account deficit is largely financed through the portfolio investment by the international investors. If the U.S. current account deficit continues, investors may expect dollar to fall further. This indicates a decline in the dollar denominated assets. Though this potential fear appears insignificant at present given that U.S. is a 'safe haven' for international investors, in future this possibility cannot be withered. A huge depreciation of dollar may reduce the deficit, but at the expense of particularly Canada, Mexico, Japan and euro countries in as much as the currencies of these countries are supposed to appreciate most against the dollar, which would affect their export competitiveness. On the other hand, the emerging economies, particularly China, Malaysia and Taiwan are unlikely to be affected given their policy of pegging rates against the dollar.