International Finance Basics

16/09/2026

My International Finance Basics page is a Canadian perspective as we follow the announcements and achievements of our elected honorable PM Mark Carney and strive to understand these accelerating times.

I addition to general topics of interest this blog type FB page will offer some limited personal actionable information soon that Canadians can take to support Canada's ambitious plans around digital sovereignity that Canadians may wish to take individually.

The international finance basics will follow international monetary policies as they affect all countries Fiat currencies, topics like US bond interest rates, geopolitical forces etc.

Canadians can look forward to Mark Carney's address to the European Parliament tomorrow following the successful onclusion of Canada's first international investors forum in Toronto this week.

If you are interested in learning how we can shift our online activities to be less dependent on foreign services please subscribe or like any post at International Finance Basics .

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech at the Canada Investm...

03/09/2026

The Pre 2026 American Midterm Election schedule of Key International Events

1. China's Xi Jing Pin official state visit to Washington , Sep 23 to 25th.

2. Canada's international investment conference in.Toronto . Inaugural event on Sept 14 & 15th hosted by PM Carney.

3. IMF & World Bank Annual Meetings (October 12–18, 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand):
4. ​Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary (October 26–30, 2026 | Paris, France): The anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing body meets to review country "grey lists" and "black lists." U.S. delegations consistently leverage FATF compliance guidelines to align international banking standards with unilateral sanctions and strict anti-circumvention mandates.

SUMMARY

The current status of American international financial, trade and digital data oversight is marked by precedents in unilateral international sanctions now officially tied to international bank USD Swift payment rights.

Several BRIC nations are also members of the G20, namely China, India , Brazil and Russia. The optics of BRIC members who are in the stages of dedollarizing to prevent the unilateral use of sanctions by America on both nations and individuals are all together attending the G20. However, treating BRICS as a single unified bloc with a single anti-dollar agenda oversimplifies the different economic goals of its individual members.
​ Each BRICS member of the G20 has rejected or ignored the ultimatum that Scott Bessent introduced in the Trump administration's "Operation Economic Outcast" (aimed at isolating Iran by imposing secondary sanctions on any nation, bank, or business trading with Tehran).

The following G20 Nations are members of BRIC

• ​Brazil(Original BRIC founder)
• ​Russia(Original BRIC founder)
• ​India(Original BRIC founder)
• ​China(Original BRIC founder)
• ​South Africa(Joined BRICS in 2010)
• ​Saudi Arabia(Joined expanded BRICS in 2024)
• ​Indonesia(Joined expanded BRICS in 2025)

The main arguments against America using unilateral financial system sanctions is America's usurping of the UN Charter agreements and its international legal processes. As to individual sanctions, America's refusal to recognize the ICC, (International Criminal Court) also brings into question America's standing within the international justice institutions.

• The ICC does not govern, validate, or oversee financial sanctions. While the U.S.'s refusal to join the ICC (and its willingness to sanction ICC personnel) damages its broader standing regarding international justice institutions, it does not technically dilute the legal basis of financial sanctions regimes.

• The Argument Against: One of the most frequent legal critiques made by international law scholars, the UN General Assembly, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures is that U.S. unilateral sanctions bypass the collective security framework established in Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
• ​Violation of Sovereignty: Critics argue that because only the UN Security Council holds the explicit multilateral authority to impose binding global sanctions, unilateral financial penalties—particularly "secondary sanctions" that target non-U.S. companies and foreign nationals—violate principles of sovereign equality (Article 2(1)) and non-intervention (Article 2(7)).
• ​The Counter-Argument: The U.S. and its allies argue that unilateral sanctions are lawful economic "countermeasures" or "retorsions" taken in response to a state’s violation of international norms (such as territorial aggression or human rights abuses) when the UN Security Council is deadlocked by a permanent member's veto.

The G20 is fundamentally an economic club with no membership charter
1. While the G20 works closely with and relies on the technical data of the IMF and World Bank, it does not officially "recognize" them through a legal charter. Rather, the IMF and World Bank are ex-officio participants that attend G20 meetings to advise member finance ministers.
2. Major structural changes, quota reforms, or amendments to the IMF Articles of Agreement require an 85% supermajority vote. Because the United States holds approximately 16.5% of the total voting power, it retains a de facto unilateral veto over major decision-making within the IMF.
While U.S. veto power at the IMF allows Washington to block structural reforms to the international monetary institution, it is market dynamics, liquidity, and trade preference—not an IMF mandate or the Bretton Woods accord —that sustain the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency today.

1. The G20n which Trump has encouraged Russian participation on Dec 14th and 15th in Miami with Trump hosting.

12/11/2025

The global auto industry is rapidly evolving, and the emergence of Chinese manufacturers has created new opportunities and risks for emerging markets.

Read more from the CSIS Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics: https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-driving-ev-adoption-rates-emerging-economies

03/04/2025

Summary of Impacts , FAQ and International Finance Basics on Global Tariffs announced by Trump on April 3, 2025.

Good we have AI to help decipher how this will affect all of us and how the various below major factors will come into play. No question a degree of uncertainty and ongoing deal making by Trump will define his term.

1. Asia’s Response
Trumps actions have united the Asian powerhouses of China, Japan and Korea in a way never seen possible. How does one monitor the sustainability of its joint retaliatory actions.

These are some of the KPIs that we can ask AI for help on

A. Asia
1. Asian market corrections on the Nikia index, Instead of spiking down to 30,000 from its high of 40,000 will it progressively slide even to 25,000 Covid period levels ?
2. Asian readiness to invest in US plants. After the damage to their export driven economies will they even have money to invest in American plants and how would this help with their rising unemployment ?
3. Asian tolerance of American company services. The US has more service GDP than industrial output yet this has not been in the trade narratives. Yes America is starting to shed Financial jobs but there are still the juggernauts of advertising and online services like Google, Meta, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft that in the extreme can be subject to firewalls. Reliance on Asian markets is from 25% to 35% of income.
4. Is Tesla dead in Asia as a result of this. Few manufacturing companies survive in China. Are these tariffs such an economic hit to Asia that it will take action against TESLA operations and sales there ?
5. Asian positions going forward holding US bond debts . Japan and China are the largest foreign holders of US debt. Over the last couple of years in anticipation of this they have stopped buying US government bonds a T-Bills. Can the extreme of this Asian leverage lead to devaluation of the USD .
6. Acceleration of Intl trade in non USD denominations. China and the BRIC nations already started trading oil and other goods between themselves in their own currencies. Will the US trade war accelerate this long term expectation.
7. Real American worker productivity and systemic waste . Nothing about the tariffs address Americas own waste and poor productivity problems especially in its non essential based economies. America has huge unproductive non essential outflows in a range of wealth imbalances including professional sports, entertainment, gambling etc. Can America survive these indulgences which seriously erode worker productivity as compared to Asian lifetime commitments prioritizing their companies.

May of these factors intersect and there are many more. They include increased reliance on Asian and non American domestic wealth and that broad growth momentum around superior infrastructure. In many modern Asian cities quality of life, and collective wealth far exceed western standards of living.

B. Europe and Western Response
1. Foreign Investment in America . Trump has been quoting trillions of foreign and domestic investment, how much of this is real. How much of this goes away with the tariffs. Is it Trumps plan to negotiate relaxation of tariffs based on individual signed agreements for investments in America and given America’s trade violations will countries put their trust in these ?
2. European united NATO commitment and replacement of US made weapons with European air, sea and ground weapons. Europe and the UK is essentially left to secure Europe without American assistance. Any large decrease in US NATO contributions requires offsetting replacement of US military personnel with European personnel, replacement of US weapon procurement with European and an increase in military spending to at least 4.5% for all EC nations.
3. The 25 % Auto Tariffs & Cdn Real Estate. Trump tariff announcements did not actually address American auto parts and assembly of US made cars in Canada and Mexico. Is America planning to distinguish between the Asian, European and American vehicle content in Canada as a negotiated auto pact settlement that saves Ford, Stelantis and GM operation jobs in Canada and Mexico ? Is this about shutting down Mexico and Canada as a conduit for foreign cars such as BYD that has replaced TESLA with the highest EV sales globally.
4. Canada Caught in Between (China or America ?) is Canada at an inflection point between the two superpowers whereby it is being forced again to appease American hegemony and market proximity or can it navigate a greater Chinese and Asian manufacturing presence in Canada. Can Asian countries be induced into to set up shop in Canada or will Trumps trade between foreign investments and tariff decreases along with market size limit Canada’s options? If not market size what does Canada have to offer, energy and natural resources ?
5. Global Tariff Chart Anomalies . Russia is not included in any tariffs due to the fact that trade essentially no longer exists having decreased from $35B to $2.5B since the war.

C. America
1. Corporate American Ability to afford large capital investments. How much cash reserves will be left even within cash flush companies like Google after their market valuations are halved due to tariffs. Won’t they be more likely to shore up their asset to liability position with share buy back programs and also protect their 25% to 35% markets in Asia with financial concessions.
2. American debt, The Federal Treasury and USD printing . This is one of the most complicated uncertainties regarding American financial capacity during a recession. The relationship between national debt, USD monetary valuation and USD money printing as is supposedly understood by the Fed but confounds many economists. The policy relationship between inflation and interest rates is better known, but how much can US domestic retirement and other fund purchases of US Debt offset decreasing foreign debt purchases. Can USD money printing be sustained for all these large re-shoring of US manufacturing while taking in less tax revenue then new trade tariff income ?
3. Public sentiment, backlash and political actions against rising inflation, unemployment and social benefits. Will US Citizens have enough of inflation, collapsing 401s , government corruption, and genocidal deportation of needed immigrant workers to rise up as a nation in protests comparable to 60s civil rights or 70s anti vietnam wars.

President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House, held up a chart showing proposed import taxes: 34 percent on China, 20 percent on the EU, among others.

29/03/2025

Since my last post update on this Page, financial turmoil in reaction to Trumps unwarranted tariffs are being observed across the world.

As Canada approaches its next Federal Election in May 2025 all Canadians and also affected G20 Nations are organizing both individual and a collective response to the financial and security chaos unfolding.

The following is my latest post that speculated on what G20 allies may be considering given the extreme gravity and impacts to each of their countries.

As posted on LinkedIn, Mar 29th

Cdn PM Carney says nothing is off the table. As one of the most respected and experienced economists, leaders of fellow G20 nation confronted with Trump tariff terrorism listen. All are aware as is Trump of the dreaded nuclear alternative monetary response for which there may be no alternative if this continues.

In a 2019 speech at the Economic Symposium, Carney discussed the limitations of the current international monetary system, which is based on the US dollar as the primary reserve currency. He highlighted the risks of relying on a single currency and the need for a more diversified and stable system

Carney also mentioned the concept of a "synthetic hegemonic currency" that could potentially reduce the dominance of the USD in intl transactions. He suggested that a digital currency, backed by a basket of currencies, could provide a more stable and reliable store of value for central banks and other financial institutions.

While Carney's comments were not directly advocating for the replacement of the USD as the global reserve currency, they did emphasize the need for a more resilient and adaptable international monetary system.

It's worth noting that Carney's views on the Bretton Woods system and the role of the USD are shaped by his experience as a central banker and his expertise in international economics.

U.S. President Donald Trump “respected Canada’s sovereignty today”, both privately and publicly, revealed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after speaking ...

08/03/2025

Integrating values and interests between China and Canada

As Americans supporting Trump believe the world USD financial systems rules over the world, it’s just a matter of time before Canada and Mexico were dragged down in the US inevitable global decline.

The two pivot points which may offer relief from Trump’s America First agenda aimed at destroying the remaining Canadian and Mexican industrial sectors in favor of America isolationism are military defense and China trade relations. These pivot points will intersect in the future.

One constant argument America makes against its neighbors is that it is defending Canada but thats according to its changing definitions. Its time for Canada to seriously consider from who and decide for itself who its friends and allies truly are.

Russia remains in a war with Ukraine and threatens Europe. America is effectively washing its hands of long standing mutual defense agreements within NATO creating a vacuum that the EC and UK have to fill.,

Canada remains a member of the Commonwealth and a strategic partner of NATO and Europe. America has no control over our agreements with other Commonwealth nations, NATO, other European allies or any country.

NATO without America will be less inclined to have military presence in Indo-China which is in my view appropriate. China and Japan are not our enemies,? they are our strategic trading partners. The world doesn’t need another Vietnam. Canada should aggressively partner with Asian countries in manufacturing gaining from their more advanced engineering in everything from high speed rail to IT and EVs.

America will be left on its own in the China seas by necessity while by design Canada repairs its trade relations with India and China. Canada should immediately retract its naval presence in the China seas which should not be allowed to drag NATO into.

Canada has already significant investment from China in energy such as CNOC’s Nexen in the oil sands. Canada is now at a point whereby US interests and executive employment of Americans in Canada can be accurately described as hegemony and counter to our National Security.

Canada should be seeking to replace American interests in Canada with Asian alternatives. Boldly Canada may also consider inviting cooperative joint military exercises in Canada with Asian countries such as Japan and Korea but also Chna.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau would never have got suckered into damaging our trade relations with China and India to America’s benefit. Taking an idealistic position on the politically driven events of Huawei and the Punjab leader death played right into Americas hand.

Its time for Canada to turn most of our energy if not all away from America and towards our European allies and our Asian trade partners without consideration as to how America may react to that.

There may even be consideration to dissolving institutional partnerships with America that include engineering standards, along with now compromised democratic and security institutions. Canada must learn to stand on its own two feet. It cannot safely ignore America’s cost cutting dissolutions of critical institutions that previously supported health, travel safety, mfg excellence and even defense.

Getting dragged into the conspiracy theories of RFK on health and Hegsmith in defense are a recipe for heightened health and security risks. Strengthen our intelligence separately with the UK immediately and require when necessary verifiable Pentagon independence from Trump when possible.

Meetings between NATO partners on intelligence sharing has to be a priority given Trumps close relationship with Putin and his personal record on Classified information and CIA gutting.

05/03/2025

Choosing Non-American Travel Services

To verify that travel services do not include American firms, follow these steps:

# Online Research
1. *Check the company's website*: Look for information about their ownership, partners, or affiliations.
2. *Search for news articles*: Use search engines to find news articles or press releases that mention the company's ownership or partnerships.

# Travel Service Provider Information
1. *Check the provider's "About Us" page*: This often contains information about their company history, ownership, and partnerships.
2. *Contact the provider directly*: Reach out to their customer service department and ask about their ownership and partnerships.

# Third-Party Verification
1. *Check travel industry reports*: Look for reports from reputable travel industry research firms, such as Skift or Phocuswright.
2. *Verify with travel associations*: Contact travel associations, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), to see if they have information about the company's ownership.

# Additional Tips
1. *Be cautious of indirect affiliations*: Even if a company is not directly owned by an American firm, it may still have partnerships or affiliations with American companies.
2. *Monitor changes in ownership*: Companies can change ownership or partnerships over time, so it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest information.

By following these steps, you can increase the reliability of your research and make informed decisions about travel services that do not include American firms.

28/02/2025

De-Dollarize International Trade

The most effective financial option left for the IMF, WTO, NDB, BRIC, and G20 to stop Americas rogue trade financial attacks and entitlement behaviors. End the USD bias international trade reserve privileges.

Independence from the USD gives other countries the right to disassociate from an America having less than 5% of the world’s population but constantly highjacking global finances. Only then will America understand that no one country has unique WTO privileges , that the world owes them nothing but it is vice versa.

Nations own currencies and sovereignty are at constant threat from the debt ridden USD reserve trade model. The USD is America’s responsibility to serve its people not the world’s currency to serve them. Each country can do their part by not buying US debt in government bonds and T-Bills. Thankfully China and Japan have started taking this approach.

Like minded BRIC nations are already engaged in this necessary change, most nations should join.,

Surely AI has matured to correct the imbalances in this trade transactional currency system.

Obviously Trump has a high level of paranoia against this inevitability given his 150% tariffs for those who decide to introduce an alternative decentralized exchange system such as stable coins. Countries have a right to trade under their own currencies which is a mechanism to also support them without resorting to buying US government bond hedging.

Free the world, stop US financial hegemony and follow the BRIC initiatives towards non USD alternative trade exchange platforms.

28/02/2025

US Economic fundamental Debt versus GDP Overview

I have not found a daily updated chart for US debt to gdp which is the barometer that measures the ability for America to control its debt, which has gone out of control mostly as a result of the 2007 financial melt down and Covid era expenses and stimulus.

While Trump supporters of extreme measures are focussed on debt, the gdp part of this fundamental measure on the ability to sustain debt payments relies equally on GDP.

America’s GDP is below Chinas’ in real goods and so relies heavily on the Service sectors such as financial services, social media, advertising, legal, online shopping, gambling, crypto, and entertainment.

Please correct me if wrong but these services rely on global institutional and consumer trust of the American brand. There are alternatives from other countries.
So far the threats of tariffs and exageratted claims of foreign investment in the US or conflict spoils sees no sign of generating confidence in the equity markets that the largest US services can thrive let alone survive extreme broad based austerity measures.

What is the potential end result with the impulsive day trading mentality being applied is higher unemployment (ticking up), higher debt to gdp from collapsing service sector gdp (markets show this and the end of debt relief in the form of foreign purchased government bonds (already well underway)?

The recession word is now on the table and tariffs which are US consumer taxes are viewed by most economists as pushing the US into it. The question investors from institutional to individual will wrestle with now is how long and how low will the American go into recession and could it even be a depression.

24/02/2025

The Asia Alternative to US Equities

Hong Kong, Japan and Shanghai, the place to park your money . To learn about the various alternatives for direct non American involvement equity purchases on Asian markets consult AI or ask here .

Beyond pretense I don’t think the Chinese, the Europeans or any other country should make any trade deal with America. It should now be obvious based on their unilateral changes and violations that America under Trump cannot be trusted nor held to its word.

Feels like a repeat of the subprime meltdown may be starting on the markets.
Trump has conveniently dismissed the major factors around Tariffs and is locked into a path towards a costly US recession .Two factors hardly discussed.

1. Trust and reputation in America intl agreements and contracts cannot be rebuilt as quickly as they are destroyed and
2. We all consider tax advantages when we go into business. The problem with trying to offset increased supply side tariff costs is it presumes you will make a profit. That is dependent on the customers you are scaring away.

I hope China only feigns pretense on trade agreements when responding to Trump now looking elsewhere for a win. Its time everyone just said NO. China is laughing at all of this, as their IT gdp is now greater than their real estate. China will shoot past America in two years or so now, and Canada should get onboard.,