NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The war of words between the United States and Europe over the dollar continues.

Central bankers on the other side of the Atlantic are raising the decibels in their challenge to the Bush administration to back up its so-called "strong dollar" policy with actions. Yesterday one European official said he wanted to see "a real policy of a strong dollar," and today another said "it's up to the Americans to respond."

Weren't they listening to Treasury Secretary John Snow yesterday? He said that the U.S. supports a strong dollar, but the setting of exchange rates should be left to the markets.

That's sort of like saying you believe your teenager should get plenty of rest and not be out carousing with friends, and then telling the kid it's up to him or her to get home on time because you're going to bed early.

The White House is clearly not only comfortable with a declining dollar, but probably welcomes it as well as a way to help U.S. firms be more competitive in global markets. The Europeans can complain all they want. This administration shows no signs of shifting on its policy of benign dollar neglect.  

Kathleen Hays is economics correspondent for CNN and contributes to Lou Dobbs Tonight.