Report
Patrick Artus

Can an external deficit make a country richer?

It is commonly thought that the fact France has an external deficit and Germany an external surplus is a problem for France and a point of superiority for Germany. This widely-held view is highly questionable . Germany could use its savings to invest more domestically, with considerably higher returns than those on its external assets. France is borrowing at a very low interest rate from the rest of the world to finance more investment, which is favourable given the higher returns on this investment than the cost of the debt. An external deficit can therefore be said to make a country richer if the external debt that finances it is obtained at a low interest rate and the deficit spares the country from having to reduce investment.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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