Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

World

US lawmakers split despite October 17 debt deadline

 Protesters wave flags during a demonstration at the World War II memorial in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2013, demanding an end of US federal government shutdown/AFP

Protesters wave flags during a demonstration at the World War II memorial in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2013, demanding an end of US federal government shutdown/AFP

Washington October 14- The United States was still facing a potentially devastating sovereign debt default after senators failed to agree on terms to reopen the federal government and raise the country’s borrowing limit.

Republicans and Democrats at war over the country’s finances for more than two weeks tried to shed a positive light Sunday on a weekend of talks that despite the threat of global economic censure produced no solution.

The Senate convened a rare Sunday session to try and break the budgetary impasse that prompted the government to shut down on October 1, a move that has since damaged domestic confidence and undermined America’s reputation as the world’s leading economic superpower.

If the US debt ceiling is not raised by October 17, the Treasury would run out of money and could begin defaulting on its obligations for the first time in history.

Seeking to avert that scenario, Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid spoke with the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell, though nothing concrete was disclosed.

“I’m optimistic about the prospect for a positive conclusion,” Reid said.

Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer on Monday warned of dire consequences if there was no solution.

A default would be “a thunderbolt on the financial markets” that would set off “extremely violent and profound turbulence worldwide,” he told the daily Le Figaro.

In Asia, markets were down in part over the deadlocked talks.

Oil prices also edged lower in Asian trade, with West Texas Intermediate for delivery in November, down 29 cents at $101.73 in afternoon trade, and Brent North Sea crude for November down 17 cents to $111.11.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

And the dollar slipped in Singapore afternoon trade to 98.27 yen from 98.59 yen in New York late Friday. Japanese markets are closed for a public holiday.

“So far, markets have not panicked because both parties have come out to reassure that they are working towards a compromise after every failed vote, keeping alive hopes for a last minute deal,” Singapore based DBS Bank said in a note.

US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew earlier told the International Monetary Fund’s policy steering committee that Washington understood its reputation as a safe harbor was at risk.

Stock markets are already factoring in a possible default if no deal is reached between President Barack Obama, his Democratic Party and rival Republicans by Thursday night.

Polls released since the shutdown show Congress’s approval rating at record lows, with Republicans taking most of the blame.

Both parties in recent days indicated a deal must be reached at all cost despite the bitter rancor.

About The Author

Pages: 1 2

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News