European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet faced down pressure for new moves to shore up the weakest Eurozone countries, but kept options open even as he said Spain and Portugal were “not Greece”.
Chinese shares plunged to an eight-month low Thursday on persistent concerns over weak overseas markets and government measures to tighten credit and curb property speculation, dealers said.
Brazil’s Bovespa stock index plunged Thursday to a three-month low, extending its drop in the past month to 12%, and the Real tumbled as concern Europe’s debt crisis will spread prompted investors to sell higher-yielding assets.
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will travel to Brazil and Peru from May 25-28 to meet with government leaders, leading figures from the private sector, and with students and academics as part of efforts to engage more closely with stakeholders in the region.
Greece's parliament approved Thursday the hefty cuts and reforms proposed by the government to address the country's financial crisis. Members voted 172-121 to pass the bill, which includes tax rises and cuts in pensions and public sector bonuses. Police used tear gas to disperse protestors who rallied outside. On Wednesday, three bank workers died in a petrol bomb attack as demonstrations over the planned austerity measures turned violent.
After the European Commission proposed the resumption of negotiations with Mercosur, France released a warning message to the European Commission and assured that—if the talks are reactivated—both French and European agriculture would be in danger of a potential damage.
Brazil on Wednesday announced long-awaited measures to boost exports at a time when the trade surplus in Latin America's largest economy is shrinking rapidly on a yearly basis. The government will create a lender, named EXIM Brasil, to help finance exports.
The Spanish government and opposition made on Wednesday an attempt to join forces against the country's economic crisis amid international concern that Spain could be heading for a Greek-style meltdown.
Uruguay’s April consumer inflation reached its highest level in thirteen months and for the second month running was above the 7% annual target, according to the latest report from the Statistics Institute.
Stock markets fell sharply Tuesday as concerns about high levels of European government debt continue to shake investor confidence. The Euro fell to a 13-month-low against the dollar, dropping to 1.3004, after earlier slipping below the 1.30 mark.