While we will never pretend to be an expert or even very knowledgeable on the topic, we thought it might be a good idea to think about the Year of the Rat, the Metal Rat more specifically. The lunar calendar changes in less than two weeks.
We have been told by some genuine experts in the field that the Rat was an unlikely choice to gain the Emperor’s favor to be included in the zodiac. But through cunning and quick-thinking, the Rat jumped over all the other animals to be at the head of line. Therefore, the Year of the Rat sets the tone for the 12 years that are to follow.
A Chinese astrologist—although her name is Cathryn and has blond hair—in Hawaii says: “The Rat is one of the Chinese zodiac’s most auspicious signs. Twenty-twenty will, therefore, be a “great relief” overall after a challenging past 12 months.” If that is the case and considering what we have gone through in the last days of this Year of the Pig, the Rat cannot come soon enough.
Other comments: “The Metal Rat Year is going to be a strong, prosperous and lucky year.” “The Year of the Rat is going to bring us creative energy.” “It heralds a year with vast productive and ingenious energy.” “The Year of the Rat [2020] is expected to be more about progression and great energy.”
We certainly do not want to throw cold water on any of those favorable comments. However, we do need to look at some of the things that are coming our way.
The United States and China have completed and signed phase one of their trade agreement. There are those that see this as a positive fulfillment of the potential of the Rat. There are others that see phase one as belonging in the Year of the Dead Duck. They are probably both accurate.
China has agreed to purchase $77.8 billion more in US manufactured goods, such as cars, aircraft and farm machinery; $52.4 billion in US oil and gas purchases; $37.9 billion in financial and other services; and increased protections for US intellectual property. However, China has not agreed to stop withholding access to its markets to companies who do not pass along their private technology.
Further, the US is not going to lift the current tariffs until China at least starts to fulfill its commitment to purchase all those American goods. It will be interesting in the next few months.
Both the Rat and the duck are sniffing the air to try and figure out what is going to happen to interest rates both here and abroad. While there may be more exciting things to think about—war in the Middle East, US impeachment, US elections in November, and Brexit at the end of the month—what the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas do with rates is fundamental. Wars, elections, and trade deals come and go but changes in interest rates are like having a tooth pulled. It is hard to reverse the process. All of the above are affected by what the interest rate for borrowing and lending is, and what direction the rate is going.
Regardless, with divine inspiration and a little good luck, 2020 will be favorable for our country and our people. But as always, it will require hard work and strong commitment to our future.