Simon French: I See Only One Fed Hike in 2017

The transcript discusses the Fed meeting's focus on the labor market, structural unemployment, and economic conditions. It highlights the challenges faced by the US Federal Reserve in tightening monetary policies and the impact of global factors, such as China's currency policies, on US inflation. The discussion also covers the Bank of Japan's bond purchasing program and the inflation dynamics in Japan, considering structural and demographic factors.

What is a significant challenge faced by the US labor market post-financial crisis?

• High inflation rates

• Structural unemployment

• Excessive fiscal spending

• Overemployment

What external factor is mentioned as influencing the Federal Reserve's policy decisions?

• European Union's trade policies

• Geopolitical tensions with China

• Middle East oil prices

• South American economic growth

What could be a consequence if China is labeled a currency manipulator?

• Strengthening of the US dollar

• Weakening of the yuan

• Decrease in global trade

• Increase in US interest rates

What is the Bank of Japan's potential response to inflation dynamics?

• Tapering of bond purchasing

• Expansion of monetary supply

• Increase in interest rates

• Reduction in fiscal spending

What global trend is the Bank of Japan trying to address?

• Rising short-term interest rates

• Increasing long-dated yield curves

• Declining stock market indices

• Decreasing foreign investments