Could China Be Pursuing a Copper Standard?

[haha]

A 'Copper Standard' for the world's currency system? - Telegraph

[Grep]

It's amusing, but their motivations are probably far different than establishing a "copper standard."

Maybe instead of importing our discarded cardboard and paper (now a glut upon the world), they have discovered that importing all that copper that is being ripped out of foreclosed houses is more profitable? (sarcasm)

By the way, hybrid or all-electric cars don't need all that much more copper than normal cars. Reformed gold bugs might take a look at lithium, though. Something's got to replace the bubbles in internet/banking/real-estate, etc., after all.

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grep By the way, hybrid or all-electric cars don't need all that much more copper than normal cars. Reformed gold bugs might take a look at lithium, though. Something's got to replace the bubbles in internet/banking/real-estate, etc., after all.

Many of us believe that US treasury bonds are fulfilling the role of the next asset class bubble quite well.

[dex]

"Zhou Xiaochuan, the central bank governor, piqued the interest of metal buffs last month by calling for a world currency modelled on the "Bancor", floated by John Maynard Keynes at Bretton Woods in 1944. The Bancor was to be anchored on 30 commodities - a broader base than the Gold Standard, which had caused so much grief in the 1930s. Mr Zhou said such a currency would prevent the sort of "credit-based" excess that has brought the global finance to its knees."


Excellent idea.

In some ways the Chinese are reminding the USA of what made it great - saving, and making things people want (not so much their political system, ecology and other things).

[Grep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifp Many of us believe that US treasury bonds are fulfilling the role of the next asset class bubble quite well.

True, but it's a bit late to join that party now. I'd like to know what the next one is! (No, I don't believe it's going to be lithium, unless driven by fools. Oh, wait...).

[Gone4Good]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifp Many of us believe that US treasury bonds are fulfilling the role of the next asset class bubble quite well.

Nah, a good bubble should have unlimited upside. Treasuries are already near their mathematically achievable peak. The real bubble will be in something else . . . gold or commodities seem to be a likely candidate.