BoJ Decision Day: U.S. Fires Opening Salvo In Trade War

 | Jan 23, 2018 03:18AM ET

The Bank of Japan Interest Rate Decision was as expected and left unchanged at -0.1%. The Japanese 10-Year JGB yield target is around zero percent. JGB purchase remains at current pace to ensure holdings increase to around ¥80 Trillion a year. The BoJ raised its expectations on inflation in the quarterly report and extended the deadline for loan programs aimed at boosting growth potential by 1 year. The Economy is expected to expand moderately. The BoJ will maintain QQE with yield curve control for as long as needed to stably hit 2% inflation. Risks remained roughly balanced and price risks tilted to the downside. Inflation is likely to continue to increase towards 2%, reaching it by around 2019/20. Also released was the All Industries Activity Index (MoM) (Nov), which came in at 1.0% v 0.9% expected, from 0.3% previously. BoJ Governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, made the comment that there was "No need to adjust yield curve control (YCC) simply due to a rise in inflation expectations."

In news from China, it was reported that the country is considering more tax cuts to sustain economic recovery. This was in response to earlier reports that the Chinese commerce ministry was expressing strong dissatisfaction regarding US tariffs of 30% on solar imports and washing machines. It said the US decision further deteriorates the global trade environment and hopes the US will refrain from using trade remedy measures, but China will resolutely safeguard its own interests. The head of the Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau from the Chinese commerce ministry says that “China will work with other WTO members to resolutely defend its legitimate interests in response to the erroneous US decision."

South Korea has responded to the US trade tariffs by saying they will look to reinstate tariffs on US goods and services. South Korea’s Trade Minister said that the "latest safeguard measures are in violation of WTO rules" and that "the government will actively respond to the spread of protectionist measures to defend national interests." Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KS:005930) and LG Electronics Inc (KS:066570) sell between 2.5 to 3 million washing machines per year in the US.

The US Chicago Fed National Activity Index (Dec) was released, with the number coming in at 0.27. The consensus was for 0.44 from 0.15 previously, which was revised down to 0.11. USD/JPY rallied briefly in the midst of a move lower when the data was released.