Do you agree with the US politcal pressures to lower the dollar's value? What is the relationship between exchange rate fluctionations and the balance of payments in general? Why might a country want to devalue its currency and why might its trading partners object? How might a country go about devaluing its currency? What effects are seen when central banks raise interest rates $-$ to stem inflationary pressures $-$ on the value of the US dollar and US exports?