There is rarely serious news in the world these days, it seems that most newspapers are filled with headlines and little else, and then Ms Yellen went to China. Secretary Yellen has long been known in the Biden administration as the voice of moderation when dealing with China, yet as her trip which concluded yesterday a hawk was born: She warned the Chinese against dumping goods in the United States.
fighting words!
The American administration is very concerned about the lack of Chinese domestic consumption. Even before the COVID-19 epidemic, there were already the beginning signs of a slowdown, automobile sales were off. China is facing domestic deflation (a clear sign of collapsing demand) China imports few consumer goods, they import raw materials and intermediary goods. It seems that the American administration is concerned that the Chinese administration will dump consumer goods abroad to keep its manufacturing machinery functioning (Greentech, automobiles etc).
This is a dramatic turn because until now the American administration had not made any comments about China's domestic demand problems (driven by demographic pressures). Where the Americans lead others will follow.
Comments