But they differed, depending on their industry, as to whether a stronger yuan would prompt overseas buyers to shift their purchases to other countries.

With a stronger yuan, they would have to find new export destinations.

A stronger yuan implies a weaker dollar, as does the general strengthening so far this year of the euro and the yen.

A stronger yuan could not only cause some factories to lay off workers, but also make imported food even cheaper.

A stronger yuan would make it more expensive for American manufacturers to shift operations and jobs to China.

Indeed, Alan Greenspan said Thursday that he saw no credible evidence that a stronger yuan would increase American manufacturing activity and jobs.

A stronger yuan would tend to make Chinese goods more expensive in foreign markets, diminishing the country's competitive advantage.

A stronger yuan would cut into that advantage.

A stronger yuan would give a boost to American companies exporting to China because their goods would become cheaper here.

Companies, like toymakers, that use a lot of Chinese labor are the most likely to be affected by a stronger yuan.