Grimes Comments on U.S. Interest Rate Hikes & Global Exchange Rates
In an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK, William Grimes, Professor of International Relations and Political Science at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, offered his thoughts on the results of a recent monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve Board.
The article, titled “米FRBの金融政策会合結果とパウエル議長会見について 専門家は (Experts on US Fed’s monetary policy meeting results and Chairman Powell’s press conference), details the comments of both Grimes and George Goncalves, head of overall economic strategy at MUFG Securities America. Grimes was questioned specifically on the Fed’s interest rate hikes and their impact on exchange rates. Grimes stated that he expects the Fed to keep rates high going into 2023 and not cut them until there is clear evidence that inflationary pressures have subsided. While the United States central bank will likely raise interest rates again, Grimes argues that the cycle of monetary tightening is coming to an end. However, the Bank of Japan is not in a position to tighten its monetary policy. As a result, Grimes does not envision the dollar/yen exchange rate moving as much as people expect.
The full article can be read (in Japanese) on NHK‘s website.
Professor William Grimes has taught at Boston University since 1996. He previously served as the Pardee School’s Dean for Academic Affairs, chair of the Department of International Relations, and the first director of the BU Center for the Study of Asia. He is the author of, amongst others, Currency and Contest in East Asia (2008) and Unmaking the Japanese Miracle (2001). Read more about Professor Grimes on his faculty profile.