Just wanted to give this a bump.
With Obama facing domestic pressure to take a tough line against China and Beijing clinging to its dollar peg, the report could act as a tipping point.
If China flinches, it may soon resume the yuan appreciation halted in mid-2008 to cushion the country from the global credit crunch. Speculation that Beijing could revalue its currency in the coming weeks briefly flattened the curve for offshore yuan forwards on Friday.
But if China keeps the yuan locked in place, then scattered trade spats between the two giants could escalate into a full-fledged dispute, with Washington even considering across-the-board tariffs against Chinese products.
"The chances of a collision have never been higher," Stephen Green, China economist for Standard Chartered Bank in Shanghai.
"A stronger yuan will hit exports and lead to a double dip in the Chinese economy, which in turn will hamper the global economic recovery," Li said.
CALM OVER INFLATION
Still, there are hints of division within China about the yuan. With inflation fast creeping up, investors are beginning to wonder just when the government will allow the yuan to rise again.