Lot of potential confusion. China has kept the value of their currency low on purpose for a long time. It has helped them expand into many markets. As I mentioned this increase was expected at some point.

It may or may not mean a lot to us. It might take some pressure off their export demand. They moved up a long ways on the low value of their currency. I found the markup over cost was never really passed along to consumers in north America by and large. A huge margin was just enabled for retailers.

I just view this if true as an increase in the wealth transfer to China. The standard of living has been steadily increasing in China. I do not know if this has been the case in north America.

China has possibly allowed us to become a very materalistic society was another guess by me. Plus dependent on low cost production. I probably mentioned before, It is estimated China has some involvement or other with 95 percent of our consumer products.

Like it or lump it does not matter. Their form of government can and does engage in longer term planning. North American governments do not do nearly as well in this area. If fact we very much are stuck with more or less fire fighting type events in the economy. Take the rapid pace of automation in their society. The financial benefits are to be shared by the population. We attempt a high level of automation the value added component goes to the few.

I am not pro China by the way. I still have enjoyed buying direct from there over the years. What is left of that will just be a little more expensive now.

Warren Buffet has said over the years. Not to sell America short. Yet he is tracking huge profits out of China now. China to me is a communist country with a semi free enterprise system. I do not think the terms of moving an industry to China where ever explained to the masses.

They Chinese probably have managed to work out a combination that works. Personally I expect the north American propaganda has done a lot of industrial damage to us.

North America to me is very much becoming a consumer based economy. Stimulating buying with very low interest rates I do not believe was a great ideal. Inflation is to me becoming a problem in Canada currently. They seem to not be able to raise interest rates to counter it. Huge amounts of poorly secured loans are out there. They do not want to risk a financial implosion. Canada got into this mess with poor plannng.

Reciently I replaced my computer tower and keyboard. Plus added a really decent speaker system to it as well. Cost all in was 217.00 Canadian . Or 150-175 American. China enables this. It really is value for money in my opinion. As are things like flat screen televisions. Assembled in America with Chinese parts. Is to me also becoming an issue. Starting to be far too common.

As time moves along I have been somewhat impressed our system holds up as well as it has. At the same time all too aware this is not true for all citizens.

Somewhat the same in America. Just not as damaging. I suspect Increasing the value of their Chinese currency should help them service their debt load,