Hi Xeno, good to see you over here! karlm, first, thank you for simply and rationally representing the facts. I find it difficult, being on the other side of the mirror, to get anyone on the other side to discuss this issue calmly, and your cool, smart explanations on this thread are helpful. I guess your 'bracket' theory of what would be fair is itself fair enough. That is, 'fair' in the context of playing the internation system game. Let's let the 'keep my company's prices close to equivelent of the exchange rate' issue ride for the moment. Back to factual about the US vs. The World. I stipulate that the FACT you are standing on is perfectly accurate. The US Dollar is indeed variant in one direction against The World at this time. So, point established. No problem. However, I offer for your consideration that just for one moment anyone coming from the "The Dollar Is Weak And The US Monetary Policy Is Wrecking The World Economy" point of view 'put on another set of glasses' very much like the Thought Experiments employed when we all attempt to grasp the Theory of Relativity. The Dollar is strong and the rest of the world's currencies are revealing their innate weaknesses. I assure you it is pure coincidence that the posts above by XENOPHONZ arrived here just as my conversation with you arrived at this point. As a matter of fact, he and I do not agree on other matters! It's not a conspiracy. However, I am in agreement with the gist of his two posts. Rather than restate them, I will just restate one point. The World, seeing this situation, is enraged with the US. They are screaming for the US governmnet to slam its citzens with taxes and more 'statism' and end this holdout. Perhaps, for once in history, the US Government is not cooperating. ::::: Opera :::::