BERLIN - German Finance Minister Hans Eichel was quoted on Saturday saying the U.S. government would one day realise that the rapid rise of the euro is also endangering the U.S. economy -- and then be ready to act.
In an interview with Hessicher Rundfunk radio, Eichel said "and then America will also be ready to take actions" once the U.S. government realises the euro's appreciation is hurting their own economy as well as others.
Eichel added in the interview to be broadcast later on Saturday that he expects the U.S. government to take energetic steps against its high budget deficits that are a main cause of the euro's rise against the dollar.
Government leaders in Germany and throughout the euro zone have complained the dollar's weakness against the euro threatens to slow growth in the 12-nation region where recovery is already losing steam.
The dollar has fallen more than 10 percent versus the euro in recent months with markets convinced its slide is an inevitable result of record U.S. budget and trade deficits, and that the U.S. government and exporters are not unhappy about it.
U.S. officials have shown no appetite for central bank intervention that some Europeans have called for to halt the euro's rise.
