US rate cut no cure-all for Asia’s woes and ills – Asia Times

The Federal Reserve’s impending interest rate cut this Wednesday ( September 18 ) will have profound, though not immediately predictable, implications for economies worldwide. And somewhere, apart from the US, may those effects become felt more quickly than in Asia. &nbsp,

A change is taking place as the US central banks wraps up its discussions this year, when it is anticipated to ease interest rates by a quarter percent point, which could signal the end of its extreme inflation-fighting strategy. &nbsp,

The Fed’s action is n’t just a projection of American policy interests; it’s a financial tremor that did unforgettably stir areas, development prospects, and currency stability in mysterious ways and places.

The transition from tightening to easing will not only affect US business and investment expectations, but it will also have a significant impact on Asia’s direction of global cash flows, exchange rates, and inflationary pressures.

In recent years, Eastern markets have been walking a tightrope. &nbsp, They’ve had to handle soaring prices, supply chain constraints and fluctuating commodity pricing, all while being tethered to the US market’s global development website. &nbsp,

A Federal Reserve rate cut may provide some relief — or, conversely, fire new difficulties and challenges. One of the anticipated immediate effects of a Fed rate slice is a strengthening of the US dollar as more money moves to higher yields elsewhere. &nbsp,

For markets like Japan, China and South Korea, this may initially sound like a cash benefit. Asian currencies usually strengthen as a result of a weaker dollar, which gives them more room to maneuver through their own inflationary strains.

Cheaper goods result in lower consumer costs, which is a good thing for nations that are still struggling with rising food and energy costs. However, the image is far more complicated for Asia’s exported-geared markets. &nbsp,

A weak money may increase domestic purchasing power, but it might also weaken export competitiveness worldwide. Countries like China, South Korea and Japan are trade behemoths, and America is a vital, profitable business.

Their products will rapidly become more expensive in American markets if the money suffers a significant decline as a result of a price cut. This is not a minor issue for Asian economies, where exports account for substantial parts of GDP and are subject to rising US tariffs at a time of rising US isolationism. &nbsp,

More expensive Asian products may reduce desire, which would ultimately harm the US consumer’s ability to see higher prices and the rising threat of crisis, as well as the US consumer’s now feeling the press, which would have a negative impact on regional development prospects.

China is a perfect example. The country’s second-largest sector is currently facing its own set of challenges, including sluggish economic growth, negative stresses and an unsettled home problems. &nbsp,

A lower US benchmark interest rate could help stabilize enormous capital outflows from China by lowering American assets ‘ yield advantages, but it also runs the risk of the yuan rising in unintended ways. &nbsp,

In such an export-reliant business, a stronger renminbi you chill business as Chinese products become less price-competitive in world markets. &nbsp,

However, if the price cut and a weaker dollar cause a broader US economic slowdown, China’s growth was brake yet more, given the strong trade links between the two countries.

Other Asian emerging markets, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and India, will also have to step carefully in the midst of the Fed’s move.

In many of these countries, inflation is still a big issue, and central bankers have been reluctant to lower prices in order to prevent this from adding to inflationary pressure. A price cut in Washington may lessen that stress by stabilizing cash flows, as many of these nations have seen traders retreat to the US in search of higher yields. &nbsp,

However, the flip of this gold is that these nations could experience higher inflationary pressures as their economies strengthen against the money and import costs decline with lower US rates. &nbsp,

Nearby central banks could be in a difficult position as a result of this fluid, weighing up the advantages of a stronger dollar against the risk of runaway inflation.

So, the big question is how Asiatic central banks will react. Some may take advantage of the opportunity to reduce their own prices in tandem with the US in an effort to encourage growth and investment. &nbsp,

However, such actions may come with risks. Easy credit may occasionally cause asset bubbles, especially in real estate markets, which are already under pressure in nations like China, as seen during earlier periods of global economic easing. &nbsp,

Others may choose to remain firm while anticipating the outcome of the Fed’s rate cut’s impact on the global stage before making their next move. &nbsp, In any case, the decisions wo n’t be straightforward.

There is no denying that the Fed’s likely decision to cut rates this week could see the closing of a global economy, but for Asia, it could also mark the start of a much more complex story.

deVere Group’s CEO and founder is Nigel Green.