While U.S. current-account deficits result partly from U.S. conditions and policies,
they also reflect conditions and policies in other countries. Structural economic problems in
Europe and, more recently, slow economic growth in Japan, have contributed to the U.S.
current account deficit. Those factors have also contributed to appreciation of the U.S. dollar on
foreign exchange markets. That result has surprised many analysts. After all, the European
central bank has apparently succeeded in establishing its ability to pursue its mandate and to
establish goals of low inflation and a stable monetary environment. Nevertheless, the Euro has
fallen from a high of $1.20 in January 1999 to recent lows below $0.85. Moreover, the
exchange rate has resisted any long-lived response to concerted central bank intervention