Oct 22, 2012

The Overall Impact Of A Weaker US Dollar On The Trade Balance Is Close To Zero

Perhaps most important, a weaker dollar’s effect on the trade balance, and thus on growth, is limited by two factors.

First, a weaker dollar is associated with a higher dollar price for commodities, which implies a drag on the trade balance, because the US is a net commodity-importing country.

Second, any improvement in GDP derived from stronger exports leads to an increase in imports. Empirical studies estimate that the overall impact of a weaker US dollar on the trade balance is close to zero. - in LiveMint

Nouriel Roubini is an American economist. He teaches at New York University's Stern School of Business and is the chairman of Roubini Global Economics.