U.S. Tells G-7 to Avoid Currency Intervention Except Rare Cases

The U.S. Treasury Department’s top international official urged Group of Seven economies to avoid targeting exchange rates and let markets set currency levels, calling for full and timely data on the scale of nations’ interventions.

“The G-7 pledged that exchange rates should float freely, except in rare circumstances where excess volatility or disorderly movements might warrant cooperation,” Lael Brainard, the undersecretary for international affairs, said at a conference in Washington today. “In addition, the G-7 members committed to avoid targeting exchange rates and to orient domestic monetary and fiscal policy toward meeting domestic objectives, using only domestic instruments.”