Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
G7 finance ministers meet as eurozone roils markets
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
G7 finance ministers meet as eurozone roils markets
AFP - Saturday, February 6
Send
IM Story
Print
G7 finance ministers meet as eurozone roils markets
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Business & Economy
IQALUIT, Canada (AFP) - – Finance ministers and central bankers from leading industrial nations focused Saturday on measures to stimulate a tentative global economic recovery and calming jittery markets as they launched talks in northern Canada.
Topping the agenda for G7 talks, which some have said would be "frank," will be growing concerns over eurozone debt as well as the yuan, which China has been accused of keeping deliberately weak to boost exports to the West.
The state of the public coffers in Spain and Portugal have been causing growing unease, with investors fearing a scenario similar to that in Greece.
Greece has been placed under unprecedented EU surveillance as it attempts to implement austerity measures to slash its massive debt and a 12.7-percent public deficit, while Portugal's deficit hit 9.3 percent last year, its highest since 1974.
"Fundamentally, this is an issue for the European Union, but a number of countries represented here are EU countries, so it's a matter of concern that I'm sure we'll talk about tonight and tomorrow," Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters here.
European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday the high deficit and debt in some countries was placing an "additional burden" on monetary policy and undermining the bloc's stability and growth pact.
The talks in Canada's frigid far north would also touch on the timing of "exit strategies" from costly stimulus measures undertaken by G7 member governments, as well as concerns about their combined debts of more than 30 trillion dollars.
Flaherty said there would also be "major discussions" about China's currency.
"This is an issue that cannot be avoided," Flaherty said. "It is a G20 issue ... but it is also an issue that concerns Western industrialized countries represented in the G7."
The value of the Chinese currency, which has effectively been pegged to the US dollar since mid-2008, has been a bone of contention between Beijing and its Western trading partners, which say it is kept low to boost exports.
China has kept its yuan weak against the dollar, and critics say this keeps Chinese exports artificially cheap and has fueled a massive trade surplus with the West. China's trade surplus reached 196.1 billion dollars in 2009.
G7 delegates formally opened their talks Friday evening at a hotel restaurant in this capital of Canada's Nunavut territory.
But before getting down to business, the Canadians and Europeans went dog-sledding on frozen Frobisher Bay, an Inuit cultural experience missed by the Americans and Japanese, who arrived at dusk.
The G7 delegates from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Britain were joined by officials from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Commission.
With the G20 taking the lead as the world's premier economic forum and the rise of China's economic clout -- poised to overtake Japan as the world's second biggest economy this year -- the G7 is struggling to remain relevant.
The intimate setting and frosty weather foster direct diplomacy here. And there is no shortage of contentious issues to discuss.
Although their economies are more or less stable amid a shaky global recovery, the world's richest nations are promoting diverging economic and financial policies.
They remain at odds, for example, over how to move forward on a regulatory framework for the banking sector.
John Lipsky, first deputy managing director of the IMF, said there was "a broad agreement on basic principles."
"This doesn't mean everybody should do the same thing at the same time, but they should be coherent," he told AFP.
Italy is facing the most heat over its soaring public debt, while the United States, Japan and Britain continue to borrow at levels never before seen.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
G7 focuses on Europe debt Reuters - 1 hour 16 minutes ago
Saudi clean diesel unit eyes March for full start Reuters - 1 hour 35 minutes ago
HIGHLIGHTS-G7 meets in Canada's Far North Reuters - Sunday, February 7
Singapore approves license for first casino AP - Sunday, February 7
Dubai's Shuaa Capital Q4 net loss $42 mln Reuters - Sunday, February 7
News Search
Top Stories
US urges EU assembly not to block bank data deal
Obama proposes measures to shore up small businesses
JPMorgan's chief reaps 16-million-dollar bonus
Jackson doctor to be charged Monday: prosecutors
Mixed report shows US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
China Economychina economy
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
JPMorgan's chief reaps 16-million-dollar bonus
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
Euro hits nine-month dollar low
Mixed report shows US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips
BAE to pay 450 million dollars in fraud fines
More Most Viewed »
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 6 February 2010 UN chief can't judge if Gaza probes are 'credible'
Four British lawmakers face charges over expenses scandal
UN wildlife trade agency backs ban on bluefin tuna
Bomb at Afghan dog fight kills three, wounds 31
White House sees 'encouraging signs' in job data
Russia names NATO expansion as national threat
|
Hamas "regrets" civilian deaths, Israel unmoved
US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips to 9.7%
Blast in crowd kills 41 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq
Ukraine presidential race ends, tension high
|
Blasts kill 40 at height of Iraq Shiite pilgrimage
North Sudan nomads, southern soldiers clash killing 18
|
Two car bombs kill 31 in Iraqi holy city
Thai PM says threat of violence exaggerated
|
Hamas regrets civilian deaths, Israel unmoved
|
What's this G7 anyway, Iqaluit locals wonder?
|
Shark attack victim died from massive blood loss
China envoy to visit N.Korea; U.S. activist to go free
Judge awards $22M damages in Liberia torture case
Dell must defend suit alleging defective notebooks
|
Obama says unemployment drop "cause for hope"
NKorea says it will free detained US missionary
Police suspect 15-year-old shot ice cream vendor
Diplomacy best way to solve Iran row
Banking regulation bill hits impasse in Senate
Attacks on Indians in Australia: Is it racism?
Space shuttle Endeavour cleared for Sunday launch
US-born pandas reach new home in China
Vietnam dissident jailed 42 months, calls charge fabricated
White House: This much snow gets Obama's respect
US-born pandas arrive 'home' in China
NYC student arrested for doodling on school desk
Accuser says ex-deputy PM offered him money after sex act
Super Sunday is not about football at 'Faith Bowl'
US to appeal to China on Iran sanctions: Clinton
Coroner: Babies found in trunk likely female
China opposes Dalai Lama's US visit: state media
Toyota denies cover-up as repairs start
Malaysia opposition frets over Petronas shake-up
Taiwan says air force to get three helicopters from Europe
Toyota CEO breaks silence amid recall crisis
Eurocopter says Taiwan helicopters for civil use
Miranda Kerr: Banker shouldn't lose job over photo
BMW: China sales more than double in January
World stock markets slump on European debt fears
Charlie Sheen's stolen car plunges down hill
|
Oscar newcomer Kendrick is no newcomer, at all
|
Geoffrey Fletcher is `Precious'
Grammy winner Feliciano reports harassing calls
Charlie Sheen's stolen car plunges down hill
S.Korean rapper questioned over 'obscene' performance
Australian literary prize dumped
France urged to ease ethnic statistics taboo
Aussie banker caught ogling on TV will keep job
Philly violin shop closing signals death of an era
Cast from 'Jersey Shore' to appear on 'The View'
Ukraine poll rivals make final push amid fears of violence
North Korea releases U.S. activist
|
Google-inspired fashion makes debut
JPMorgan's chief reaps 16-million-dollar bonus
China: Big powers should talk with Iran, not punish
|
Half tonne of explosives seized in suspected ETA cache
Jackson doctor to be charged Monday: prosecutors
Facebook gets more Bing -- and control of display ads
Mixed report shows US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips
Police find explosives in Portugal, ETA suspected
Google Earth dives into oceans and WW II
Main parts of crashed Ethiopian jet found off Lebanon
|
Public invited to question NASA astronauts via Twitter
BAE to pay 450 million dollars in fraud fines
Pakistani tense as mourners bury bomb victims
|
Dell must face suit alleging defective notebooks
Putin scolds party after rally exposes discontent
|
Drug violence spurs music-warning bill in Mexico
|
China says ICC move could hit Sudan peace process
Facebook removes Microsoft banner ads from site
|
Employees of sweat lodge leader granted immunity
Report: Chinese envoy to visit North Korea
China 'resolutely' opposes Obama-Dalai Lama meet
Judge wants Edwards sex tape 'under lock and key'
American missionary freed by North Korea
Palin e-mails suggest husband's role in governing
Feds: Status of pika will still need watching
Police: Boy found dead in luxury Manhattan hotel
US missionary in China after NKorea release
US missionary freed by NKorea is on his way home
BART shooting victim's lawyer may back out of deal
S.Korea, Japan eye World Cup at E.Asian meet
Malaysia's missing jet engines 'found in Uruguay'
Powerful blizzard shuts down US capital
China opposes planned Obama-Dalai Lama meeting
Vt. nuke plant: Tritium may be leaking from pipe
Jesse James Hollywood gets life in murder case
Pakistan c.bank buys 91.60 bln rupees of govt paper
Taiwan banks have $500 mln debts to 3 European nations -papers
Taiwan dollar up on exporter deals in thin trade
Chinese sales boosts luxury goods market in 2009
Samsung to invest 100 million euros in Slovak plant
For The Who, it's right time to play Super Bowl
|
Leonard Cohen delays Europe tour after back injury
We Are the World gets update for Haiti
|
Wyclef Jean, choir open BET concert for Haiti
Leonard Cohen delays Europe tour after back injury
|
For The Who, it's "right time" to play Super Bowl
Robin Thicke joins Alicia Keys on Freedom Tour
|
Leif Garrett charged with heroin possession in LA
Afrikaans rappers takes Internet by storm
|
Wyclef Jean, Haitian choir open BET concert for Haiti
Oscar newcomer Kendrick is no newcomer, at all
|
Pavement, LCD, Modest Mouse to top Pitchfork fest
Robin Thicke joins Alicia Keys on "Freedom Tour"
Pavement, LCD, Modest Mouse to top Pitchfork fest
|
Jesse James Hollywood gets life in murder case
Pete Wentz says Fall Out Boy not completely done
Police: Sheen vehicle stolen, crashed in ravine
Iran says starts production of two new missiles
Germany supports European army: foreign minister
Cambodia rebukes Google over disputed Thai border map
US urges EU assembly not to block bank data deal
NATO allies to shuffle Afghan pledges to add training
|
Iran opens two new missile plants
Afghan border patrol kills seven civilians: police
U.S., Germany say Iran not ready for nuclear deal
|
Obama proposes measures to shore up small businesses
Main parts of crashed Ethiopian jet found off Lebanon
Rivals slam Hamas for apology to Israelis
|
Glitches emerge in closely-watched Nigerian state poll
|
Qaeda sets deadline and demands for European hostages
|
Iran's police vow no tolerance towards protesters
|
South Africa's Zuma says regrets child out of wedlock
|
Chinese envoy arrives in North Korea
Whaler, activist ship collide again off Antarctica
Obama to attend DNC meeting, host Super Bowl party
'Blood for blood' chants mark funeral in Kashmir
Alito objected to Obama's history claim
Youngest Ore. Zoo orangutan likes Colts
Pakistani city tense as mourners bury bomb victims
US missionary freed by NKorea starts journey home
Snow piles up, paralyzing nation's capital
Whaler, activist ship again collide off Antarctica
No jail for sexy texts, China tells couples
Conservationists, whalers collide off Antarctica
AP NewsAlert
Thousands protest boys' killing in Indian Kashmir
Australian firm strikes $60B coal deal with China
Taiwan dollar rises; c.bank intervention seen
G7 finance ministers meet as eurozone roils markets
Taiwan sells T$25 bln T-bills at 0.179 pct yield
Taiwan sells T$40 bln govt bonds at 0.33 pct yield
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights