unit 2: the global economy “is the world really flat?”
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Unit 2: The Global Economy
“Is the world really flat?”
![Page 2: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Chapters 6 The U.S. in the Global Economy
Chapter 37 International Trade
Chapter 38 Exchange Rates, the Balance of Payments, and Trade
Deficits
![Page 3: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Comparative/Absolute Advantage
=>Terms of Trade
FOREX
Balance of Trade
![Page 4: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Global Trade Issues
Outsourcing jobsIllegal immigration – jobs takenMigration for jobsBalance of trade (trade deficit)Environment vs. economic growthPoverty in third world nations – does trade help or hurt?
![Page 5: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Outsourcing vs. Insourcing
![Page 6: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Trade Flows
Nations are linked by the exchange of:Trade flows = Goods and services
[exports (X) and imports (M)]
Resource flows = capital (production facilities) and labor move from nation to nation
Information and technology flows = info on prices, products, interest rates & investment opportunities; new technology
Financial flows = Money for imports, assets, interest on debts & foreign aid
![Page 7: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Specialization and trade allows consumption possibilities to exceed production possibilities.
![Page 8: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Name a few things that might limit our production possibilities and push us to seek goods and services from other nations?
![Page 9: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
• Resources we don’t produce ourselves• Climate and natural resource
limitations• Lack of skilled labor • Lack of low cost labor• Lack of capital resources (factories,
equipment, technology, etc.)
![Page 10: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Why Trade?For political reasons
To help allies – strengthen relationsEX: U.S. and Taiwan in 1950’s
To show disapproval or force a change in political policies through embargo or boycott
EX: Boycott of S. Africa due to apartheid
No trade with China (1949-1972) and Cuba (1950-present)
![Page 11: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Why Trade?For economic reasons
ABSOLUTE ADVANTAGE – when a nation can produce MORE of a good or service with the same or fewer resources
EX: Diamonds from S. AfricaCOMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE – when a nation can produce a good or service at the lowest opportunity cost
EX: wheat from U.S.
![Page 12: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Comparative Advantage
Specialization – allows nations with the lowest opportunity cost to do what they do best, then tradeArbitrage – buy low and sell highAll participants in a voluntary exchange will benefitAllows total output to increaseIllustrated with PPC
![Page 13: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
To the Dry Erase!
![Page 14: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
AvocadosAvocados 90
60
Soybeans Soybeans
24 33
15 30 9 19
MEXICO U.S.
![Page 15: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Comparative Advantage
Graph indicates that when self sufficient……
Mexico produces 24 avocados & 9 soybeans when most efficientU.S. produces 33 avocados & 19 soybeans when most efficient
To Find Opportunity cost = take max production #, put in fraction & reduce to show ratio
![Page 16: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Comparative Advantage
To Find Opportunity cost for Mexico = take max production #, put in fraction & reduce
60 avocados/15 soybeans is an opportunity cost of 4 tons of avocados for each additional 1 ton of soybeans (1s=4a)
AND 15 soybeans/60 avocados =¼ ton soybeans for each additional 1 ton of avocados (1 a = ¼ s)
![Page 17: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Now find the OC for the U.S. in terms of soybeans and avocados
![Page 18: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Comparative Advantage
To Find Opportunity cost for U.S. = take max production #, put in fraction & reduce
90 avocados/30 soybeans is an opportunity cost of 3 tons of avocados for each additional 1 ton of soybeans (1s=3 a)AND 30 soybeans/90 avocados = 1/3 ton soybeans for each additional 1 ton of avocados (1 a = 1/3 s)
![Page 19: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Comparative Advantage
After determining opportunity cost for each nation – compare them to find the “lowest op cost” – that shows what they should specialize in & trade Mexico has the advantage in avocados (1/4 is less “cost” than 1/3 tons of soybeans)U.S. has the advantage in soybeans
(3 is less “cost” than 4 tons of avocados)
![Page 20: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Gains from trade
When Mexico specializes in avocados, they produce 60 tonsWhen the U.S. specializes in soybeans, they produce 30 tonsWithout trade, the maximum production (by both nations combined) would be:
24 + 33 = 57 tons of avocados (gain of 3 tons) 9 + 19 = 28 tons of soybeans (gain of 2 tons)
![Page 21: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Castaways – Tom and WilsonDraw a PPC for both
Tom
Wilson
Coconuts
30
20
Fish
40
10
Consumption Tom
Wilson
9
8
28
6
![Page 22: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Coconuts
20
30
Fish Fish
9 8
40 10
28 6
Tom Wilson
Tom’s C without trade Hank’s C without trade
Coconuts
![Page 23: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Castaways – Tom and HankTheir respective OC
One fish
One coconut
Tom’s OC
¾ C
4/3 F
Wilson’s OC
2 C
½ F
![Page 24: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
What are the gains from trade?
![Page 25: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Gains from TradeWithout Trade
With Trade
Gains
Production Consumption
Production Consumption
Tom
FishCoconuts
289
289
400
3010
+2+1
WilsonFishCoconuts
68
68
020
1010
+4+2
![Page 26: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
If Tom gives Wilson 10 fish, and Wilson gives Tom 10 Coconuts, what is the minimum number of fish and coconuts each should take in trade?
![Page 27: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Wilsons OC of one fish is 2 coconuts. So, he should not accept any trade with Tom where he would give up more than 2 coconuts per fish. (he wants to pay < 2 coconuts per fish.)
Tom will reject any deal that requires him to give up more than 4/3 of a fish per coconut.
So Voluntary exchange only happens if the “price” is right.
![Page 28: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Trade Barriers
Tariff – tax on imports (revenue & protective)
Quota – limit on number of imports Informal barriers – licenses, fees, health inspections, & regulations on transportation
Cultural and language differences
![Page 29: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Protectionism vs. Free Trade
Pro Protectionism – National defense (keep tech safe)Avoid dependency on other nations (ex:oil)Protect jobs (keep $$ & jobs at home)Infant industries need time to developKeep balance of trade (exports = imports)
![Page 30: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Protectionism vs. Free Trade
Pro Free TradeCompetition forces producers to lower prices & provide higher quality Trade raises the standard of living for all partiesMore efficiency when businesses specialize & trade = higher profits for owners Lost jobs are replaced with others Barriers lead to retaliation
![Page 31: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Balance of Trade
Difference between exports and imports
(ideal is to have equal amounts; more exports = trade surplus; more imports = trade deficit)Surplus sounds good; deficit sounds bad; but this is not always trueU.S. has had a negative trade balance since 1981 – economists do not agree on how serious this is!
![Page 32: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
U.S. Trade Deficit for over 20 yrs
![Page 33: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Balance of Trade
Balance of payments is based on:Credits (value of things sold abroad):
Goods & servicesU.S. securities (Treasury bonds or stocks)Factories or businesses in the U.S.Interest owed to U.S. citizens for investments abroad
![Page 34: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Balance of Trade
Debits (value of things bought from firms abroad)
Goods and servicesForeign securities (stocks in foreign businesses)
Factories or businesses abroadInterest paid to foreign citizens on their investments here
![Page 35: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Balance of Payments Account
There are two main accounts – Current Accounts (CA) & Financial Accounts (FA) previous“Capital Account”
If an account is positive it is said to have a surplus; if negative = a deficitThe overall account must be balanced (or total zero) CA + FA = zero
![Page 36: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Balance of Payments AccountCurrent Account (CA) trade in goods & services:
Exports of goods & services + (plus)Imports of goods & services - (minus)
Financial Account (FA) summarizes trade in assets
U.S. assets owned by foreigners + (plus)Foreign assets owned by U.S. - (minus)
![Page 37: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
1999 Changes to BOT Categories
Old Current Account became 2 accounts:
the “New Current Account” –G & S; Income pmts & receiptsand the “New Capital Account” –account to record capital transfers
(ex: assets a migrant brings when moving here or debt forgiveness);
It is a small account for U.S., but more impt for other nations
![Page 38: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
1999 Changes to BOT Categories
Old Capital Account is now the “New Financial account” – trade in assets2008 Macro AP Exam had question using the terms: “Capital & Current Accounts” which was confusing to students (because they had not learned BOT or learned the new terms & didn’t know the old ones!)
![Page 39: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
![Page 40: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Foreign Exchange Rates
Exchange rate – price of one currency in terms of another (multiply foreign price by exchange rate to get U.S. price)
Fixed rate – rate of exchange stays the same; in past basis was goldFlexible rate (floating) – based on supply and demand for each currency
![Page 41: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Current Rates of Exchange 1 USD = 0.74 EUR Euro1 EUR = 1.36 USD
• 1 USD = 76.75 JPY Yen• 1 JPY = 0.01 USD
• 1 USD = 6.38 CNY “wren” or renminbi RMB
• 1 CNY = ?
![Page 42: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Foreign Exchange Rates
Flexible rates – began in 1971 when U.S. went off the gold standard U.S. imports increased and foreigners were gaining U.S. dollars & exchanging them for U.S. goldForeign exchange market - wherever one currency is exchanged for another
![Page 43: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Foreign Exchange
Appreciation (strong dollar) – dollar buys more of another currency & results in less expensive imports and more expensive exports (SID)Depreciation (weak dollar) – dollar buys less of another currency & results in more expensive imports and less expensive exports (WES)
![Page 44: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
“Redelsheimer’s Graphs to Know” AP Macro Review Copyright 2005
The Market for Yen
Quantity of Yen
Dol
lar
Pri
ce o
f 1
Yen
0
P
QQe
Sy
Dy
THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET
![Page 45: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
“Redelsheimer’s Graphs to Know” AP Macro Review Copyright 2005
P
Q
Dy
SyD
ollar
pri
ce o
f on
e Y
en
Quantity of Yen
3
2
1
Dollardepreciates
Dollarappreciates
The Market for Yen
THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET
![Page 46: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
The supply of U.S. dollars is determined by U.S. demand for foreign goods, services and investments.
Demand for U.S. dollars is determined by foreign demand for U.S. goods, services and investments.
![Page 47: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Other countries want U. S. goods when:
-Ours are cheaper-Our inflation is less that theirs-Our interest rate is higher-The other country is growing faster
These cause the dollar to APPRECIATE
The $dollar depreciates when the opposite events occur.
I have no idea why I made this purple
![Page 48: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
The supply and demand of FOREXThink of dollars as a commodity with a simple supply/demand curve.
Remember—Set the Y axis up like a fraction. The currency that is the denominator is the currency on the X axis.
The exchange rate is the cost of the other country’s currency to one for the country in the graph. The quantity is the number that will be demanded and supplied in the world market at that “price”.
![Page 49: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Foreign Exchange $ price for yen
$/Y
Yen price for $
Y/$
Qty of yen
Qty of $
S
D
S
D
Supply of yen from Japanese importers who must exchange them for $$ to buy U.S. goods
Demand for yen by U.S. importers who need them to buy Japanese goods
![Page 50: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Foreign ExchangeCauses of S & D change - shifts (leads to exchange rate change):
Incomes go up or down (can buy more or less of foreign goods)
TastesRelative price level (inflation in one nation makes foreign goods cheaper)Real Interest Rates (want to earn on financial assets abroad if rates are higher)
![Page 51: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Foreign Exchange
Must practice the supply and demand graphs for exchange rates PRACTICE – PRACTICE – PRACTICE!!!
![Page 52: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
AP Problem Areas – Increasing Questions on the Exam
Comparative Advantage problems in FRQ’sFOREX graphs & resulting changes in currency values, export/imports BOT questions
![Page 53: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
53
BALANCE OF PAYMENTSChapter 38
![Page 54: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Balance of Payments• A nation’s balance of payments is a measure
of money inflows and outflows between the United States and the Rest of the World (ROW)
-- Inflows are referred to as CREDITS -- Outflows are referred to as DEBITS• Transactions include –exports and imports of
services, tourist expenditures, interest and dividends received or paid abroad, and purchases and sales of financial or real assets abroad.
54
![Page 55: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
The Balance of Payments is divided into 3 accounts
Current Account
Capital/Financial Account
Official Reserves Account
55
![Page 56: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Double Entry Bookkeeping• Every transaction in the balance of payments is
recorded twice in accordance with standard accounting practice
-- Ex. U.S. manufacture, John Deere, exports $50 million worth of farm equipment to Ireland. A credit of 50 million to the current account
( - 50 million worth of farm equipment or physical assets) A debt of $50 million to the capital/financial account
(+ $50 million worth of Euros or financial assets) Notice that the two transactions offset each other.
Theoretically, the balance of payments should always equal zero.
56
![Page 57: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Current Account• Balance of Trade or Net Exports -- Exports of Goods/Services –import of Goods/Services -- Exports create a credit to the balance of payments -- Imports create a debit to the balance of payments
Net Foreign Income -- Income earned by U.S. owned foreign assets –
Income paid to foreign held U.S. assets -- Ex. Interest payments on U.S. owned Brazilian
bonds - Interest payments n German owned U.S. Treasury bonds.Net Transfers (tend to be unilateral)
-- Foreign aid > a debit to the current account -- Ex. Mexican migrant workers send money to family
in Mexico.
57
![Page 58: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Capital/Financial Account• The balance of capital ownership• Capital account records the flows of money from the
purchase and sale of real and financial assets domestically and abroad.
• Definitions: real assets = a building or land financial assets = shares of stock
Direct investment in the U.S. is a credit to the capital account.
-- Ex. The Toyota Factory in San AntonioDirect investment by U.S. firms/individuals in a foreign country are debits to the capital account
-- Ex. The Intel Factory in Costa Rica58
![Page 59: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
Capital/Financial Account
Purchase of foreign financial assets represents a debit to the capital account
--Ex. Donald Trump buys stock in Petrochina.
Purchase of domestic financial assets by foreigners represents a credit to the capital account.
-- Ex. China buys stock in NASDAQ
59
![Page 60: Unit 2: The Global Economy “Is the world really flat?”](https://reader037.vdocument.in/reader037/viewer/2022102818/56649c745503460f94927e09/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Official Reserves Account
The Federal Reserves holds quantities of foreign currency called official reserves. When adding current account and the capital account, if the U.S. has sent more dollars out than foreign currency has come in, there exists a balance of payments deficit. In this case the Fed credits the account so that it balances.
60