Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Beijing reportedly purchased a substantial amount of bonds from Portugal and Spain as those countries cope with the ongoing debt crisis. But the move has left some Europeans wondering what exactly the Chinese are up to. Stephen Beard explains.

The political relationship between the U.S. and China may be on the rocks with China's undervalued currency and the trade imbalance. But this relationship doesn't necessarily reflect the opinion of U.S. businesses in China, as Rob Schmitz reports.

In Brazil, another expected interest rate hike could push rates above its current 11 percent. Inflation in Brazil is at a six year high and the central bank there is desperate to get it under control.

Starbucks announced that customers can now pay for their coffee with their smart phones. Nancy Marshall Genzer has more.

During his visit to the United States, President Hu Jintao will be spending time meeting with CEOs of GE and Goldman Sachs, among others American business leaders. Richard DeKaser explains.

On Capitol Hill today, the House is scheduled to vote on a repeal of the health care overhaul that passed last summer. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.

Goldman reported a more than 50 percent drop in profit for the last three months. A report by the New York Times and footnoted.com shows Goldman partners are reaping the rewards of a stock-option windfall.

The Globalist's Stephan Richter quizzes Steve Chiotakis about where citizens are earning more per year since the 1960s.

Jeremy Hobson talks to L.A. Times consumer columnist David Lazarus about Equifax's new debt-prioritizing tool, and another method consumers can use to help pay down what they owe.

As President Obama welcomes Chinese president Hu Jintao for a state visit, Americans should get ready for a Chinese ad blitz on TV. The spots -- with images of ordinary Chinese citizens juxtaposed with celebrities like the NBA's Yao Ming -- are aimed at improving China's image in the U.S. Will it work? Marketplace's Scott Tong takes a look.