Brazil Flirts with Default

Like Mexico, Brazil has been wobbling beneath a crushing load of foreign debt. But unlike Mexico, Brazil is increasingly unable to repay its loans, which total some $84 billion. The threat of a Brazilian default on that debt is sending jitters through world financial markets. Last week Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker called together the top executives of New York City's six largest banks, which have loaned Brazil at least $12.7 billion, to review the deteriorating situation. The moneymen at the meeting agreed that the South American country will probably need loans worth...

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