BRUSSELS, Nov 7: The United States and Asia bear the main responsibility for reducing global economic imbalances, a eurozone document put to ministers on Monday said.

“The responsibility for adjustment lies primarily with the US and Asian countries,” the draft document discussed by the 12 finance ministers in Brussels says, according to a source who was quoting from it.

According to the document, prepared by the chairman of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, the United States should save more while Asia should save less and boost imports.

If the document is endorsed by the ministers, Juncker will present it on the behalf of the ministers at a meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized countries in early Dec, a source familiar with the draft conclusions said.

“The United States should contribute by raising its private and public savings,” the source, quoting the document, said.

“Asian economies should contribute to the reduction of global imbalances through shifts to domestically generated growth and an increase in the region’s imports,” the source said.

More flexible Asian exchange rates would also help address the imbalances, it said.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...