we'll also bring you you analysis from adam posen, he'll join us in just over an hour's time. if you have any questions for adam or mark, e-mail us worldwide@cnbc.com. worldwi worldwide@cnbc.c worldwide@cnbc.com. >>> meanwhile the south african counter deficit is out. it has narrowed to 5.8% of gdp. the rand has seen an awful lot of weakness fairly recently. >>> u.s. president barack obama is due to speak from the brandenburg gate later today following in the foot steps of several famous predecessor including john f. kennedy who was at the same spot nearly 50 years ago, and it's five years after president obama's pre-election address which was credited with giving him international star power. the president is now expected to receive a cooler reception in the german capital where he's meeting with the german chancellor angela merkel of the bank of the g-8 summit. joining us from berlin is senior transatlantic fellow at the german marshall fund. doctor, thanks very much indeed for joining us. how is the president now viewed in germany? >> good morning from berlin where it's alre