Zhou Xiaochuan

Zhou Xiaochuan helps set monetary policy that affects not only the exchange rate of the renminbi, but also the balance of power between the two countries. Zhou has long been a strong proponent of market-oriented economic reforms and has advocated for increasing the flexibility of the Chinese currency, but a full float is unlikely in the near future. That means the manipulation of the renminbi will remain a target of politicians trying to assume a hard line on U.S.-China relations.