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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I have been mulling a thorough post on the developing Eurozone sovereign debt crisis for the past two days, thinking of ways I could adequately present the necessary context, theoretical arguments and implications to the global economy. But in reading through Simon Johnson's coverage of the developments in Europe, I realized something: I can't possibly deliver a better analysis than he has. So instead of trying in vain to duplicate his efforts, I point you towards The Baseline Scenario:
-Johnson's first look at the situation asked whether US policymakers, specifically Tim Geithner, understood the risks posed by a European sovereign debt crisis to America and the global economy
-Over the weekend, Johnson looked at the likelihood of IMF involvement in Greece, the irrelevance of the G7 and the implications of European policymakers' dithering
-Today, Johnson, Peter Boone and James Kwak released their Revised Baseline Scenario for 2010, which includes a great treatment of the Eurozone's sovereign debt woes and its broader implications. This is a long post, but I recommend reading it in full for their 2010 outlook.
Markets rallied yesterday on signs the European big boys would step in and back Greece. ECB President Trichet rushed back from a trip abroad and there were rumors circulating that Germany, the only Eurozone country that really has the balance sheet and power to step in at this point, was constructing a 'firewall' of sorts that would stem any contagion from the Greek crisis. But Germany later denied any plans were in the works, which rattled investors again.
I suspect we'll get some official statements out of the ECB and Commission by the end of the day, hopefully laying out some concrete steps to resolve the situation. But if you believe Simon Johnson, it may all be too late.
Labels: blogging, Euro, financial crisis, sovereign debt