EXCHANGE RATES AND TRADE CENTER FOR GLOBAL TRADE AND INVESTMENTS SÃO PAULO SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS FGV-SP 2013 Prof. Vera Thorstensen,
Big Mac Index 1/2013
IMF Estimates of Exchange Rate Misalignments (6/2012) Pilot External Sector Report
Misalignment from FEER Cline and Williamson
Exchange rate misalignments 2010-2012 (Shin, Johansen, Engle-Granger) FGV
Exchange Rate Misalignments FGV 2012
Petersen x IMF x FGV (REER)
Brazil: real exchange rate, fundamentals and exchange rate misalignments (annually) 8 100 Real Effecitive Exchange Rate Fundamentals 80 60 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 30 Exchange Rate Misalignment 20 10 0-10 -20 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Sources: Misalignment estimates Observatory on Exchange Rate - EESP/FGV (2013)
US: real exchange rate, fundamentals and exchange rate misalignments (annually) 9 Real Effective Exchange Rate Estimated Fundamentals 140 120 100 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 0.2 Estimated Exchange Rate Misaligment 0.1 0.0-0.1 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Sources: Misalignment estimates Observatory on Exchange Rate - EESP/FGV (2012)
China: real exchange rate, fundamentals and exchange rate misalignments (annually) 10 200 China Real Effective Exchange Rate China Fundamentals 150 100 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 50 Exchange Rate Misalignment 0-50 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Sources: Misalignment estimates Observatory on Exchange Rate - EESP/FGV (2013)
Europe: Exchange Rate Misalignments (2009 2011) FGV
Tariffication of exchange rate misalignments To exam the impact of exchange rate misalignments on trade, one possibility is to transform a misaligment into a tariff and then to adjust the import tariff of each country, through a tariffication exercise. An overvalued exchange rate has the effect of reducing or nullifying the import tariffs of the overvalued country, creating an incentive to imports from third countries. An undervalued exchange rate, on the other hand, will give an incentive to exports from the undervalued country. A country s undervalued currency will have the effect of increasing its import tariffs, sometimes above the bound levels at the WTO. The equation used to tarifficate the effects of exchange rate misalignments is presented in the next slide
13 Tariffication of Exchange Rates
Simulations regarding the effects of exchange rate misalignments on selected Tariff Profiles Using the tariffication methodology, one can represent the effects of exchange rate misalignments on a country Tariff Profile. The Tariff Profile is comprised of bound tariffs and applied tariffs Bound tariffs are the tariffs negotiated at the WTO as the maximum permitted level of an import tariff. Applied tariffs are the import tariffs actually applied by a country and notified to the WTO After applying the tariffication methodology the results are adjusted bound and applied tariffs that represent the actual level of protection of a given country. In the following slides we present the simulations for Brazil, US and EU Tariff Profiles, considering the effects of the exchange rate misalignments of selected countries.
Impacts of Exchange Rates on China Tariff Profile China devaluation in 2012 (17%) 60,00% China Tariffs x Adjusted Tariffs - Effects of China 17% Exchange Rate Devaluation (2012) Simple averages at HS 2 digits - source WTO Tobacco 50,00% 40,00% Meat Cereals Sugar Furskins Wool Footwear Clothing Miscelaneous manufactured articles Musical instruments Vehicles Applied Tariffs (simple average) 30,00% Adjusted Applied Tariffs: China - 14% 20,00% Bound Tariffs (simple average) 10,00% 0,00% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Impacts of Exchange Rates on China Tariff Profile (2012) Ch-Brazil (37%), Ch-Germany (13%), Ch-US (12%) Bilateral Misalignments 90% China Tariffs x Adjusted Tariffs - Effects of Selected Countries Exchange Rate Deviations (2012) Simple averages at HS 2 digits 80% 70% 60% Brazilian exporter (2012) Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of CH + BR deviations - 37% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of GER + CH deviations: 13% 50% 40% 30% German exporter Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of CH + USA deviations: 12% Bound Tariffs (simple average) 20% 10% American exporter Applied Tariffs (simple average) 0% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Impacts of Exchange Rates on US Tariff Profile US devaluation in 2012 (5%) 30% USA Applied Tariffs x Adjusted Tariffs - Effects of USA Exchange Rate Devaluation Simple averages at HS 2 digits - source WTO (2010) 25% Tobacco 153% 146% 141% 160% 140% 20% 15% 10% Dairy vegetables Leather Cotton Wool Clothing Footwear Locomotive 120% 100% 80% 60% Applied tariffs Adjusted applied tariffs: USA - 5% Bound tariffs 40% 5% 20% 0% 0% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Impacts of Exchange Rates on US Tariff Profile (2012) US-Brazil (25%), US-Spain (9,5%), US-China (12%) Bilateral Misalignments 50% USA Applied Tariffs x Adjusted Tariffs - Effects of Selected Countries Deviations (Article I) Simple averages at HS 2 digits - Except HS sector 24 (Tabacco) 40% 30% Dairy vegetables Brazilian exporter Leather Cotton Wool Clothing Footwear Locomotive Adjusted applied tariffs - effect of USA + BR: 25% 20% Spanish exporter Adjusted applied tariffs - effect of USA + SPAIN: 9,5% 10% Bound tariffs Applied tariffs 0% -10% Chinese exporter Adjusted applied tariffs - effect of USA + CH: 12% -20% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Impacts of Exchange Rates on Brazil Tariff Profile Brazil Overvaluation in 2012 (20%) 60% Brazil Tariffs x Adjusted Tariffs - Effects of Brazil Exchange Rate Overvaluation (2012) Simple averages at HS 2 digits 50% 40% Clothing 30% 20% Dairy Sugar Beverages Tobacco Leather Cotton Steel Tools Vehicles Bound Tariffs (simple averages) Applied Tariffs 10% 0% -10% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 - Adjusted Bound Tariffs - Exchange Rate Overvaluation BR + 20% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - Exchange Rate Overvaluation BR + 20% -20% -30%
Impacts of Exchange Rates on Brazil Tariff Profile Brazil-China (37%), Brazil-US (25%), Brazil-Germany (24%) Bilateral Misalignments in 2012 20 40% Brazilian Market Adjusted for Multiple Exchange Rate Misalignments Simple averages at HS 2 digits Clothing 30% 20% Dairy Sugar Beverages Tobacco Leather Cotton Steel Tools Vehicles Applied Tariffs 10% Brazilian Producer 0% -10% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of BR + GER: 24% -20% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of BR + USA: 25% -30% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - effect of BR + CH: 37% -40% -50% 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Impacts of Exchange Rates on EU Tariff Profile Brazil (40%), US (7%), China (14%) Misalignments in 2011 and Brazil (15%) in 06/2012 21 120% EU Market - Effects of Selected Countries Deviations (Article I) Simple averages at HS 2 digits - Exchange rate misalignments for 2011-12 Adjusted Applied Tariffs - Exchange Rate Overvaluation BR - 40% 100% 80% Brazilian exporter (2011) Adjusted Applied Tariffs - Exchange Rate Overvaluation BR - 15% (06/2012) Bound Tariffs 60% Applied Tariffs 40% 20% 0% Brazilian exporter (06/2012) American exporter Adjusted Applied Tariffs - Exchange Rate Devaluation USA - 7% Adjusted Applied Tariffs - Exchange Rate Devaluation China - 14% -20% Chinese exporter 1-4 - 7-10 - 13-16 - 19-22 - 25-28 - 31-34 - 37-40 - 43-46 - 49-52 - 55-58 - 61-64 - 67-70 - 73-76 - 79-82 - 85-88 - 91-94 - 97 -
Conclusions 22 - Countries with overvalued exchange rates (Brazil) have their negotiated tariffs reduced or nullified. - Countries with undervalued exchange rates (USA, China) grant subsidies to their exports and their applied tariffs surpass the bound levels agreed at the WTO. - Substantial and persistent exchange rate misalignments significantly affect or nullify most WTO rules: tariffs, antidumping, countervailing measures, safeguards, rules of origin, regional agreements, DSB retaliations - Problem: the WTO does not have adequate rules to address the exchange rate issue
Solutions IMF - manipulation (Article IV) WTO - frustation (Article XV)
WTO Rules relating trade and exchange rates General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Article XV:4 Contracting parties shall not, by exchange action, frustrate* the intent of the provisions of this Agreement, nor, by trade action, the intent of the provisions of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund. * Ad Article XV -Paragraph 4 The word frustrate is intended to indicate, for example, that infringements of the letter of any Article of this Agreement by exchange action shall not be regarded as a violation of that Article if, in practice, there is no appreciable departure from the intent of the Article. Thus, a contracting party which, as part of its exchange control operated in accordance with the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, requires payment to be received for its exports in its own currency or in the currency of one or more members of the International Monetary Fund will not thereby be deemed to contravene Article XI or Article XIII. Another example would be that of a contracting party which specifies on an import license the country from which the goods may be imported, for the purpose not of introducing any additional element of discrimination in its import licensing system but of enforcing permissible exchange controls.
Rules relating between exchange rates and trade General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Article II:6 (a) The specific duties and charges included in the Schedules relating to contracting parties members of the International Monetary Fund, and margins of preference in specific duties and charges maintained by such contracting parties, are expressed in the appropriate currency at the par value accepted or provisionally recognized by the Fund at the date of this Agreement. Accordingly, in case this par value is reduced consistently with the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund by more than twenty per centum, such specific duties and charges and margins of preference may be adjusted to take account of such reduction; provided that the CONTRACTING PARTIES (i.e., the contracting parties acting jointly as provided for in Article XXV) concur that such adjustments will not impair the value of the concessions provided for in the appropriate Schedule or elsewhere in this Agreement, due account being taken of all factors which may influence the need for, or urgency of, such adjustments.
IMF Rules relating exchange rates and trade IMF s Articles of Agreement Article IV: Obligations Regarding Exchange Arrangements Section 1. General obligations of members Recognizing that the essential purpose of the international monetary system is to provide a framework that facilitates the exchange of goods, services, and capital among countries, and that sustains sound economic growth, and that a principal objective is the continuing development of the orderly underlying conditions that are necessary for financial and economic stability, each member undertakes to collaborate with the Fund and other members to assure orderly exchange arrangements and to promote a stable system of exchange rates. In particular, each member shall: (i) endeavor to direct its economic and financial policies toward the objective of fostering orderly economic growth with reasonable price stability, with due regard to its circumstances; (ii) seek to promote stability by fostering orderly underlying economic and financial conditions and a monetary system that does not tend to produce erratic disruptions; (iii) avoid manipulating exchange rates or the international monetary system in order to prevent effective balance of payments adjustment or to gain an unfair competitive advantage over other members; and (iv) follow exchange policies compatible with the undertakings under this Section
GATT Guideliness to Art II.6(a) (Approved by CP) 15 February 1980 (L/4938) Assume a World with different exchange rate arrangements. Allow undervalued countries to renegotiate especific tariffs. CP ask IMF to calculate size of depretiation. Undervaluation was more than 20%. Basket of currencies of 85% of imports. Period of analysis for size of depreciation: rate of 6 months preciding the request x 6 months preceding last bound (weighted avarage)
IMF Rules relating exchange rates and trade IMF s Articles of Agreement Article IV: Obligations Regarding Exchange Arrangements Section 3. Surveillance over exchange arrangements (a) The Fund shall oversee the international monetary system in order to ensure its effective operation, and shall oversee the compliance of each member with its obligations under Section 1 of this Article. (b) In order to fulfill its functions under (a) above, the Fund shall exercise firm surveillance over the exchange rate policies of members, and shall adopt specific principles for the guidance of all members with respect to those policies. Each member shall provide the Fund with the information necessary for such surveillance, and, when requested by the Fund, shall consult with it on the member s exchange rate policies. The principles adopted by the Fund shall be consistent with cooperative arrangements by which members maintain the value of their currencies in relation to the value of the currency or currencies of other members, as well as with other exchange arrangements of a member s choice consistent with the purposes of the Fund and Section 1 of this Article. These principles shall respect the domestic social and political policies of members, and in applying these principles the Fund shall pay due regard to the circumstances of members.
A NEW PROPOSAL - Create a world currency - Negotiate a fluctuation band - Solve the conflict bilaterally
Jan-60 Apr-61 Jul-62 Oct-63 Jan-65 Apr-66 Jul-67 Oct-68 Jan-70 Apr-71 Jul-72 Oct-73 Jan-75 Apr-76 Jul-77 Oct-78 Jan-80 Apr-81 Jul-82 Oct-83 Jan-85 Apr-86 Jul-87 Oct-88 Jan-90 Apr-91 Jul-92 Oct-93 Jan-95 Apr-96 Jul-97 Oct-98 Jan-00 Apr-01 Jul-02 Oct-03 Jan-05 Apr-06 Jul-07 Oct-08 Jan-10 Apr-11 Jul-12 Exchange Rate Misalignment Bands 4 Normalized PPP - Trade weight world basket 3 2 1 0-1 -2-3 -4 United States Brazil Australia Austria Belgium Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan South Korea Mexico Netherlands Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Malaysia +- 2 S.D. +- 1 S.D.
% relative to equilibrium Brazil Bilateral Misalignments 80% 60% Brazilian Bilateral Real Exchange Rate Misalignment 40% 20% 0% -20% -40% -60% -80% 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Colombia Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong Ireland Italy Japan Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States Uruguai South Africa Indonesia Turquia
% relative to equilibrium US Bilateral Misalignments United States Bilateral Exchange Rate Misalignment 55% 45% 35% 25% 15% 5% -5% -15% -25% -35% -45% -55% 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Colombia Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong Ireland Italy Japan Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States Uruguai South Africa Indonesia Turquia
Conclusions 33 Substantial and persistent exchange rate misalignments affect the effectiveness of trade instruments negotiated at the WTO. Therefore, they must be object of WTO regulation Juridical concept of time x economic concept of time (time of violation x time for long run equilibrium) In summary: The WTO must address the effects of exchange rate misalignments or misaligned exchange rates will turn the WTO into a juridical and economic fiction!!!