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Answer: Use foreign currency reserves to buy its own currency
## Explanation The correct action is **C. Use foreign currency reserves to buy its own currency**. **Why This is the Correct Action:** 1. **Addresses Currency Depreciation**: Buying the local currency with foreign reserves increases demand for the local currency, which can help stabilize or appreciate its value against the speculative short selling. 2. **Supports Banks' Foreign Debt**: By strengthening the local currency, the government makes it easier for domestic banks to service their foreign currency-denominated debt, as each unit of local currency can buy more foreign currency. 3. **Demonstrates Commitment**: Using reserves signals the government's commitment to defending the currency, which can deter further speculative attacks. **Why Other Options Are Incorrect:** - **A. Decrease interest rates**: This would likely worsen the situation by making the local currency less attractive to hold, potentially accelerating capital flight and further depreciation. - **B. Sell its currency in foreign exchange markets**: This would increase the supply of local currency in the market, causing further depreciation and exacerbating the crisis. **Key Insight**: In a currency crisis scenario, the government needs to support its currency's value, and using foreign reserves to buy local currency is a standard intervention strategy.
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A country liberalized its financial markets, resulting in domestic banks borrowing short-term debt denominated in foreign currency, and a small depreciation of the local currency. The banks are now having trouble servicing the debt and speculators have started to short the local currency. What action could the government take to avoid a currency crisis?
A
Decrease interest rates
B
Sell its currency in foreign exchange markets
C
Use foreign currency reserves to buy its own currency