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Principles of Macroeconomics / Unit 15   MAC 1411 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Twin Deficits Are Cousins

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The idea

The budget deficit and the trade deficit are called twin deficits, and the name overstates the link. They rose together in the mid eighties, but in the nineties a surplus sat alongside a widening trade deficit.

In practice

The identity has other terms, and any of them can move instead.

Where people slip

So cutting a budget deficit does not reliably cut a trade deficit.

Your place on the trail

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Unlocks

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