Selected Events 2008    

Leipzig Business People Want to Understand the U.S. Elections and Financial Market Turbulences

From left: Consul General Mark Scheland and Crister Garrett

March 18, 2008. Consul General Mark Scheland appeared with American professor Crister Garrett on Tuesday evening before an audience of over 200 invited by the Leipzig chapter of the German Association of Medium-Sized Business. The Consul General explained the US electoral system using a PowerPoint presentation in German developed at post. On the financial crisis, the Consul General emphasized the steps that the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and the Congress and President had taken or proposed to ensure more transparency and better risk assessment in the financial markets, keep liquidity available for lending and growth, and stimulate economic activity, as well as the angle and philosophical posture that Americans take towards the free market, emphasizing that Germans and American can learn from each other in business and innovation.  Audience questions focuses on the US economy, including: how are housing values tied to the broader financial market, particularly with regard to interest rates and inflation, what are the future prospects of US protectionist policies, what impact does the monetary cost of the Iraq military action have on the broader economy and the American consciousness. The panel discussion took place in a large space at the city’s Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership, where the host emphasized the American identity (and, of course, the attributes for consumers) of the three car brands.