Reader's question: US debt, once considered gilt-edged, is becoming increasingly risky. Could you explain "gilt-edged"? My comments: Gilt, as in "gilt the lily" (which is totally unnecessary, of course), is a thin layer of gold or other shiny material used to cover objects in order to give them a sparkling look. US debt was once considered gilt-edged because it was extra safe. In other words, as debts go, the US debt is much more desirable to keep than, say, Greek or Irish debt. However, as America's credit outlook dims, US debt is becoming increasingly risky, as other sovereign debts are. In other words, time to sell. Related stories: 本文僅代表作者本人觀點,與本網(wǎng)立場無關。歡迎大家討論學術問題,尊重他人,禁止人身攻擊和發(fā)布一切違反國家現(xiàn)行法律法規(guī)的內(nèi)容。 About the author:Zhang Xin(張欣) has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column. |
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