As Snow kicks of EU tour, US seeks to blunt deficit criticism

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2004

DUBLIN (AFP) — US Treasury Secretary John Snow began a European tour aiming to highlight the need for stronger economic growth in Europe and elsewhere as Washington tries to blunt criticism over massive US deficits that have pushed the dollar to new lows.

Snow arrived in Dublin early Sunday for a weeklong tour and was holding private meetings in the Irish capital, making no public statements ahead of a forum set for Monday at Dublin City University with officials, students and alumni.

His message, according to aides, is to focus on policies promoting stronger growth, arguing that this will ease the imbalances that have prompted jitters over the US currency.

With pressure growing on Washington to trim its trade and budget deficits that sap capital from around...