Soros: German austerity could spark currency war
Published: 25 Jan 13 14:41 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/money/20130125-47561.html
US investor George Soros has warned Germany's push for austerity in Europe could spark a dangerous "currency war" with global economic repercussions.
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"The rest of the world follows a different recipe from the Germans. Germans believe in austerity, and the rest of the world believes in quantitative easing," Soros said in an interview, according to news agency Reuters. "I think the biggest danger is actually, potentially, a currency war."
Hungarian-born Soros is famous for making $1 billion in 1992 by betting against the British pound on global currency markets.
Despite his criticism of Germany's handling of the euro crisis, Soros said the immediate threat to Europe's single currency appeared to be receding.
Soros said Germany would always do "the minimum" to ensure the euro's survival, Bloomberg News reported. And as other countries pursued looser monetary policies than the European Central Bank, Europe's currency was bound to strengthen in the coming months.
“I generally don’t know how far things go but I can see which way they are going,” he said. The trend is for the “euro to rise and the yen to fall.”
The Local/mry
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Your comments about this article:
(Yes, we all know that we are borrowing now and screwing over the next generation.)
However, do I actually detect a whiff of bias against Soros because....???
For Soros that is not a prediction but an intent.
Exactly as is the case in the United States. The National Debt has not been more than doubles in 4 Years, and the Economy is not Struggling.
Currency speculators like Soros make more money from volatile markets, where they can take advantage of fluctuating exchange rates. Stability is abhorrent to them.
In any case, I cannot see Germans ignoring their own history and attempting growth on the back of a mountain of debt and printed money. The USA has been getting away with this as the Chinese have been willing to prop up the dollar to maintain their exports - but it is a dangerous game (just ask the Argentinians).
Ignore the talking head Soros. If Germany is to prosper, it must go it's own way.
None of the rest of the Euro trash has the will, the want, the need and the leadership to look a coming crisis in the eye and prepare for it.
In fact, if Germany does not continue to do exactly what Soros does not want you to do, you will be dragged down with the rest of the Euro Trash.
The question is, what is Soros invested in that whatever the Germans do is causing him heartburn?
Soros is no fool nor is he stupid. Evil and manipulating yes. One doesn't become a billionaire by being a misguided fool. As others have stated now and in the past. He makes his money by creating doubt and uncertainty. He has so much money in the market. That he can change the market by saying such things. So. He puts money in a certain area. THEN he starts a conversation to move the market in a direction that will benefit HIM. He's like criminal character Auric Goldfinger in the James Bond film "Goldfinger".
Of course we can judge Soros. Based on his past actions. He will invest in currency A. Then start bad mouthing currency B. Currency B starts to drop. Then currency A goes up. He sells currency A for big profit. Then turns and buys currency B which he had a hand in deflating. Then starts it all over again by now bad mouthing currency A.
I would have no issues with a savvy investor. I do have an issue with a guy that has enough power/money to influence the market in what ever direction he wants.
Soros has absolutely no sympathy nor cares one wit about the nations or the people within. He cares only about his next billion. And all the while. He invests heavily into the left wing socialist agenda. Which preaches hate to any form of free market capitalism. Which is really odd. Because he got rich from said capitalism that he seems to be against.
Soros is good at making money without adding value... That is why he wants Socialism... he knows how to use it... I would say that he is not giving away any tips on economic management unless they would help his money quest... If you look around the world he funds anything that can be used to manipulate (to his interest) the people of different countries... Listen to him... do not use his direction or guidance... he has a history of intervention to his profit...