Those pressures caused the renminbi to fall roughly 2.5% between mid-April and mid-May. A significant devaluation could mitigate the effects of tariffs by making Chinese exports cheaper on international markets, but may provoke Trump into levelling accusations of currency manipulation.
Until 2005, China pegged the value of its currency to the US dollar at the much weaker level of 8.3 to the dollar. Since then it has largely pursued a “managed float” system, with the central bank using its vast foreign-exchange reserves – estimated at more than $3trn – to limit exchange-rate volatility and buy up yuan when its value falls too far. It has not traded above seven to the dollar since 2008.
There had been a “tacit” understanding that the authorities would defend the seven-to-the-dollar level, says Christopher Beddor on Breakingviews. Yet People’s Bank of China officials have begun to hint that it is not a line in the sand.
This cautious “blurring” of the currency line is a wise move, adds Beddor. The yuan would need to depreciate another 10% fully to offset the impact on exporters of upcoming American tariffs. The central bank is “resetting expectations” while keeping just enough uncertainty about its intentions to deter currency short-sellers.