The U.S. dollar is on a long-term spike in value at the same time other economies are softening, and the timing couldn't be worse for Obama administration officials hoping to push through major international trade deals this year. Perfect Currency Storm The timing couldn't be worse for Obama administration officials hoping to push through major international trade deals this year. The U.S. dollar is on a long-term spike in value at the same time other economies are softening. Last month, China reported an increase in its trade surplus to nearly $60 billion as it slowed imports. Countries like India are intentionally pushing down the value of their currency, publicly proclaiming concern about the "dangers of us becoming uncompetitive." In...