Over all, international trade is good as it helps expand the world economy using valuable and limited resources most judiciously (Investopedia).
Consumers in the US are benefitted from weak Yuan due to nonexistence of free market for determining exchange rates. Goods imported from China are available at much lower prices than possible to get from the local manufacturers. This leads to higher disposable income for American consumers that can be used for satisfying their other needs (Picardo).
The above graph represents exchange rate between the USD and Chinese Yuan between May 30, 2011 and November 30, 2013. It is clearly evident that the exchange rate of 6.5 Yuan for one US dollar in May 2011 improved to 6.1 Yuan during November 2013. Emily Kaiser argues, “A sharp rise in Chinas Yuan currency might cut the U.S. trade deficit by as much as one third and create enough American jobs” (Huffingtonpost). this can create enough jobs in the US. China does not have free market exchange mechanism to determine exchange rates rather it relies on administered exchange rates. In view of this, it has several implications as discussed in the following paragraphs.
In 1994, China pegged its currency to the dollar at about 8.28 Yuan per dollar. the rate continued until July 2005 then the establishment gradually allowed Yuan to appreciate until 2008. When global crisis encompassed the world economies, China stopped further appreciation of its currency. Many economists rightly contend that appreciation of Yuan would hurt US consumers and downstream product manufacturers who use Chinese components in their production process (Morrison and Labonte, 12). It is true that appreciating Yuan may boost US exports to China (Picardo). However, several concerns have been raised in the US over chinas currency policy. Jobs and trade deficits are prominent among them.