This week Mr Geithner said the government intends to give them one, by backing efforts in Congress that would require companies to submit their pay policies to an annual vote.

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"We are not coming before you today to say we have a definitive solution to that long-term problem, " Mr. Geithner said.

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When China said in June that the yuan would be allowed more flexibility, it looked like a victory for Mr Geithner.

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