---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After all, an overvalued dollar gives us…"
description: "\"After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing volume of exports brings more yen and euros..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg"
---

#  After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to…

![“After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing volume of exports brings more yen and euros than they would if the dollar were more competitive.” quote by Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg)

> “After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing volume of exports brings more yen and euros than they would if the dollar were more competitive.”

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A strong dollar makes imports cheap but can hurt export competitiveness, affecting trade balances and domestic industries.

**In simple terms:** Strong dollar lowers import costs but hurts exports.

Key Takeaway

Balance currency strength with trade goals.

Themes

economics trade currency

Mood

analytical concerned

Type

economic policy

When to use this quote

- export strategies
- import pricing
- budget planning
- policy making

Key Concepts

exchange rates trade deficits

Questions to Reflect On

- How does currency strength affect my business?
- What policies can stabilize trade?

A Different Perspective

A weak dollar can cause inflation and reduce purchasing power.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/)

## Related quotes

> [But the primary reason for wanting the dollar to become more competitive in the near future is that we may need an increase in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/but-the-primary-reason-for-wanting-the-dollar-to-become-more/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [If the Federal Reserve pursues a strong dollar at home while the dollar becomes more competitive in global markets, we can achieve both price…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/if-the-federal-reserve-pursues-a-strong-dollar-at-home-while-the/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [I was trained as journalist never to use the word 'I,' never to put my own opinion there. In fact, if you had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-menkes/i-was-trained-as-journalist-never-to-use-the-word-i-never-to-put-my/)

[Suzy Menkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-menkes/)

> [The exchange rate of the Rand against the dollar, pound or euro makes South Africa an attractive location. The positive side of this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/the-exchange-rate-of-the-rand-against-the-dollar-pound-or-euro-makes/)

[John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/)

> [The uncontrolled increase of the euro rate vis-a-vis the dollar threatens employment growth in the euro area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bofinger/the-uncontrolled-increase-of-the-euro-rate-vis-a-vis-the-dollar/)

[Peter Bofinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bofinger/)

> [The proposal for a new global reserve currency - or Special Drawing Rights - is a good idea for many reasons. Yes, for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-proposal-for-a-new-global-reserve-currency-or-special-drawing/)

[Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/)

> [If the dollar weakens, then presumably all the things that we make in the United States - Buicks, for instance - can be sold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/if-the-dollar-weakens-then-presumably-all-the-things-that-we-make-in/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [The dollar is a winner. The euro is a tie. Get off the dime, Europe, and play to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-deford/the-dollar-is-a-winner-the-euro-is-a-tie-get-off-the-dime-europe-and/)

[Frank Deford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-deford/)

> [Even if the dollar does decline during the coming months, the delays in the response of exports and imports to the more competitive dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/even-if-the-dollar-does-decline-during-the-coming-months-the-delays/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [The good news is that a competitive dollar in the global market and a strong dollar at home are compatible in both the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/the-good-news-is-that-a-competitive-dollar-in-the-global-market-and-a/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [My theme this evening is that America needs a competitive dollar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/my-theme-this-evening-is-that-america-needs-a-competitive-dollar/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Although economists have studied the sensitivity of import and export volumes to changes in the exchange rate, there is still much uncertainty about just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/although-economists-have-studied-the-sensitivity-of-import-and-export/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [The more competitive value of the dollar turned around the trade deficit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/the-more-competitive-value-of-the-dollar-turned-around-the-trade/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Merkel has realized that the euro is not working, but she cannot change the narrative she has created because that narrative has caught the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/merkel-has-realized-that-the-euro-is-not-working-but-she-cannot/)

[George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/)

> [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

## More by Martin Feldstein

> [In short, both experience and economic theory imply that the US could now t to a more competitive dollar without experiencing either increased inflation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/in-short-both-experience-and-economic-theory-imply-that-the-us-could/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [The more competitive value of the dollar turned around the trade deficit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/the-more-competitive-value-of-the-dollar-turned-around-the-trade/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Inflation is lower and more stable and the real business cycle fluctuations are more modest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/inflation-is-lower-and-more-stable-and-the-real-business-cycle/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Increased government spending can provide a temporary stimulus to demand and output but in the longer run higher levels of government spending crowd out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/increased-government-spending-can-provide-a-temporary-stimulus-to/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [I think that over the last few decades, we have seen better economic outcomes than in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/i-think-that-over-the-last-few-decades-we-have-seen-better-economic/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [And finally, no matter how good the science gets, there are problems that inevitably depend on judgment, on art, on a feel for financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/and-finally-no-matter-how-good-the-science-gets-there-are-problems/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Thirty years ago, many economists argued that inflation was a kind of minor inconvenience and that the cost of reducing inflation was too high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/thirty-years-ago-many-economists-argued-that-inflation-was-a-kind-of/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [Even if the dollar does decline during the coming months, the delays in the response of exports and imports to the more competitive dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/even-if-the-dollar-does-decline-during-the-coming-months-the-delays/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [First, I think the science of monetary economics has clearly gotten better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/first-i-think-the-science-of-monetary-economics-has-clearly-gotten/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [But because we in the United States finance our current account deficit by borrowing in our own currency, we can move to a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/but-because-we-in-the-united-states-finance-our-current-account/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [To finance this trade deficit, the U.S. has to borrow from the rest of the world or sell American assets like stocks, businesses, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/to-finance-this-trade-deficit-the-u-s-has-to-borrow-from-the-rest-of/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [We are particularly poor at the open economy issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/we-are-particularly-poor-at-the-open-economy-issues/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [But then in April of 1985 the dollar began a sharp decline. The dollar's trade weighted value fell 23 percent in just 12 months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/but-then-in-april-of-1985-the-dollar-began-a-sharp-decline-the-dollar/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [We pay some price when necessary to bring down inflation but that price is temporary and is not large relative to the permanent gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/we-pay-some-price-when-necessary-to-bring-down-inflation-but-that/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

> [A rise in the level of saving can reduce aggregate activity temporarily but only a sustained high level of saving makes it possible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/a-rise-in-the-level-of-saving-can-reduce-aggregate-activity/)

[Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

[Explore all 29 Martin Feldstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/)

## More Ability quotes

> [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/)

[Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/)

[Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/)

> [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/)

[Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/)

> [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/)

[Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/)

> [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/)

[Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/)

> [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/)

[Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/)

> [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/)

[Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/)

[Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing volume of exports brings more yen and euros than they would if the dollar were more competitive.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Martin Feldstein"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us-the-ability-to-buy-foreign/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us-the-ability-to-buy-foreign/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d1/martin-feldstein-21258_ability_after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us_2470183.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“After all, an overvalued dollar gives us the ability to buy foreign goods at lower prices. And the existing…” — Martin Feldstein",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Martin Feldstein",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "After all, an overvalued dollar gives...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us-the-ability-to-buy-foreign/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/after-all-an-overvalued-dollar-gives-us-the-ability-to-buy-foreign/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
