Which statement about the effect of devaluation on current account deficits is true?

In the context of current account deficits and the effect of devaluation, the statement indicating that devaluation does not help reduce the deficit captures a significant nuance of economic behavior.

Devaluation typically aims to make a country’s exports cheaper and imports more expensive. In an ideal scenario, this could theoretically improve the current account balance by increasing export revenues and decreasing import volumes. However, the actual impact of devaluation can vary significantly based on several factors, including the elasticity of demand for exports and imports, the underlying economic conditions, and the time frame considered.

If demand for exports is inelastic, meaning consumers do not significantly increase purchases even at lower prices, then devaluation may not lead to an increase in export volume sufficient to offset the deficit. Similarly, if imports are considered necessities and their demand is also inelastic, the reduction in their cost may not lead to a substantial decrease in import spending.

These complexities often mean that while devaluation aims to address a current account deficit, it does not always provide the desired outcome, leading to the interpretation that it does not help reduce the deficit in certain economic contexts. Thus, the statement that devaluation does not help reduce the deficit can be seen as accurate under specific conditions of economic behavior and market responsiveness.