UPDATE 1-Obama: China has not done enough on yuan

Published 09/20/2010, 01:49 PM
Updated 09/20/2010, 01:52 PM

* U.S. will enforce trade laws "more effectively"

* Says does not mean he is anti-trade

* Comments follow Geithner testimony last week (Updates with additional comments, background)

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday that Beijing has "not done everything that needs to be done" on its yuan currency, keeping up Washington's tough rhetoric on Chinese economic policy as the United States struggles to bolster its sputtering economy.

The yuan "is valued lower than market conditions would say it should be," Obama said, giving China an advantage in trade because it makes Chinese goods less expensive in the United States and U.S. goods more expensive in China.

"What we've said to them is you need to let your currency rise in accordance to the fact that your economy's rising, you're getting wealthier, you're exporting a lot, there should be an adjustment there based on market conditions," Obama said at a town-hall style meeting hosted by CNBC television.

"They have said yes in theory, but in fact they have not done everything that needs to be done," Obama said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner promised last week to rally other world powers to push China for trade and currency reforms.

And U.S. lawmakers are weighing new legislation to punish China for practices they say keep its currency artificially low, hurting American jobs and competitiveness, as they grow impatient with a diplomatic approach that has yielded little so far.

Obama said it is good for the United States if China does well, pulling millions of people out of poverty. "It makes them more stable, it buys them into a world economy that can reduce tensions and allow our businesses to thrive. It's a huge market where we should be able to export a lot of goods," he said.

However, he said, "Our trade relationship has to be fair. You can't just sell to us and we can't sell to you," he said. "And so we have been bringing more actions against China before the World Trade Organization. We are going to enforce our trade laws much more effectively than we have in the past," he said.

Obama said this policy did not mean he was against trade. "I'm pro-trade," he said. "I just want to make sure that it is fair for American businesses and for American workers."

China has said pressure from Washington could backfire.

China's central bank said in June it would let the yuan fluctuate more freely. Since then it has risen 1.53 percent, but many economists say it is undervalued by up to 40 percent. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Anthony Boadle)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.