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Of course a U.S. recession is likely inevitable at some point. But it's not all doom and gloom for the U.S. Most of the current U.S. trade deficit is energy related. The U.S. really needs to do 3 things to be on healthy footing for the futre: Balance the budget, become a net producer of energy and raise interest rates a couple of points. Rise in interest rates will probably be the cause of the recession.
Consider this on Chinese investment in U.S. bonds:
Don't know the real exchange rate so I will use example of 10 Yuan to $1 for simplicity. The true market rate should probably be 60% of that or 6 Yuan to $1.
10 million yuan invested in $1million US bonds.
If interest rates rose from 5% to 8%, that bond would be worth maybe $800,00. If the Yuan were forced to true market value, that would convert back to 5.6 million yuan. That is potential loss of 44% on investment. In addition the price of all goods coming to the U.S. increases by 40% and the U.S. is more likely to return to manufacturing. China has much at stake in their relationship with the U.S.
The only way the US is going to be a net producer of Energy is to be much more efficient in way it is consumed/wasted. The introduction of energy taxes much in line with the rest of the World would achieve that but would tilt the scales heavily in the direction of a recession.
Raising Interest rates a couple of points would push the US into recession but would help to counteract the increasing risk of inflation. Of course combined with higher taxes that are required to restore the Government's Fiscal Budget that could be catastrophic.
Raising interest rates would reduce the risk of capital flight, as not only does it making lending more attractive in terms of current earning, but it makes it less risky as it will also shore up the dollar. Of course the resale value of T Bonds would also drop.
I think there is an awful lot at stake. Sure China is not going to be very pleased if looses money big time but they have the cash and are generating more all the time. Also if the dollar goes down the price of oil and other raw material will go down a lot as well in their terms. They can survive that. What the US must avoid at all costs, however, is to be seen as a basket case. It that scenario emerges you are going to be paying much higher rates of interest than present.