Quote from ralph00:
Everyone needs to stand back and get away from the conventional wisdom on bonds and the dollar.
If Chinese growth is collapsing, then yes, it is likely that China will no longer add to their hoard of dollars, and may even become a seller in order to raise cash for their own economic stimulus.
Well, the reason growth in China is collapsing is because their cusstomer (the US) has stopped buying tvs and is instead saving their money. This money is deposited in banks, which, not having anyplace profitable to lend it, buys US bonds.
If the Chinese are no longer adding reserves, that means they are losing reserves. Expect the renminbi to be devalued before the end of 09 (setting of a brutal trade war).
I could easily make the case that the scenario the world faces right now will lead to further dollar strength (against all currencies except the SF and the JY), and continued low gov't bond rates.