1. The document discusses currency exchange rates and balance of payments. It notes that maintaining a stable currency exchange rate can help balance exports and imports, while fluctuations can help or hurt a country's balance of payments depending on economic conditions.
2. It provides examples of how exchange rate changes between countries can affect their trade balances and competitiveness. Devaluing a currency can help exports but hurt domestic purchasing power and inflation.
3. International systems for managing exchange rates like the Bretton Woods system and later floating rates aim to facilitate trade but countries still intervene at times to gain economic advantages or address imbalances.