Assume that at the end of 2021, the US government will have a 30 trillion (i.e. 30,000bn) dollars of existing debt. Also assume that the nominal interest rate is 7% and the inflation rate is 6%. (i) In 2022, the government decides to stabilize the debt (at 30 trillion USD). Compute the size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (ii) Instead, now assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation remains unchanged. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (iii) Finally, assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation will fall to 3%. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (iv) If the government decides to stabilize the debt in 2022 under these three different macroeconomic conditions (i)-(iii), which will be the easiest and which will be the most difficult? (Explain in words why)

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Assume that at the end of 2021, the US government will have a 30 trillion (i.e. 30,000bn)
dollars of existing debt. Also assume that the nominal interest rate is 7% and the inflation
rate is 6%.
(i) In 2022, the government decides to stabilize the debt (at 30 trillion USD). Compute the
size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization.
(Express in billion USD)
(ii) Instead, now assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation
remains unchanged. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government
must run to achieve debt stabilization.
(Express in billion USD)
(iii) Finally, assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation will fall
to 3%. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government must run to
achieve debt stabilization.
(Express in billion USD)
(iv) If the government decides to stabilize the debt in 2022 under these three different
macroeconomic conditions (i)-(iii), which will be the easiest and which will be the
most difficult? (Explain in words why)
Transcribed Image Text:Assume that at the end of 2021, the US government will have a 30 trillion (i.e. 30,000bn) dollars of existing debt. Also assume that the nominal interest rate is 7% and the inflation rate is 6%. (i) In 2022, the government decides to stabilize the debt (at 30 trillion USD). Compute the size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (ii) Instead, now assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation remains unchanged. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (iii) Finally, assume that the nominal rates will increase to 10% but the inflation will fall to 3%. Compute the new size of a primary surplus that the government must run to achieve debt stabilization. (Express in billion USD) (iv) If the government decides to stabilize the debt in 2022 under these three different macroeconomic conditions (i)-(iii), which will be the easiest and which will be the most difficult? (Explain in words why)
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