May 15, 2023
2 mins read

De-Dollarisation: A paradigm shift in global monetary system

India’s rupee and China’s yuan are starting to gain global acceptance despite multiple teething issues… Mahua Venkatesh

With the US staring at a debt default, dominance of the American dollar on the world stage may soon be a thing of the past. The de-dollarisation exercise started as a mechanism to deal with alternative payment systems amid stringent sanctions on Russia but now with threats of the US debt default rising, countries are aggressively exploring solutions which are more permanent in nature. India’s rupee and China’s yuan are starting to gain global acceptance despite multiple teething issues. Policymakers said that such “issues” are natural to emerge.

“These are problems real issues, we don’t deny and in the case of rupee, we will have to resolve them to make the Indian currency more acceptable,” a senior government official told India Narrative.

The US dollar is the most traded currency in the foreign exchange market.

Globally on an average, the US dollar makes up for about $6.6 trillion of daily trade, Forex.com said. The currency also accounts for the largest share of foreign exchange reserves held by central banks around the world.

“There is a risk when we use financial sanctions that are linked to the role of the dollar that over time it could undermine the hegemony of the dollar,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told CNN last month.

If the US debt ceiling – the maximum amount that a country can borrow — is not increased immediately, the US could actually default.

Meanwhile American lawmakers are yet to reach a consensus on the issue of raising the debt ceiling.

The total national debt as of January 2023 stood at $31.4 trillion. The debt to GDP ratio was 129 per cent in 2022, as per Trading Economics. The Republican members are vehemently opposed to increasing the debt ceiling until Washington approves massive cuts in spendings.

“We’ve not reached the crunch point yet but there’s real discussion about some changes we all could make,” US President Joe Biden said on Saturday. “But we’re not there yet,” he added.

While dedollarisation has been on the radar for many countries, the US currency continued its dominance in the global economy for decades. “But with the sanctions on Russia and then the shift in global order along with US debt crisis have now made it amply clear to the countries including the emerging economies that they need to have alternatives in place to mitigate risks,” the government official said.

Take the example of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc. The bloc– now set to expand with several other countries coming in, has indicated that it will work on creating its own currency system. The imminent expansion of the BRICS bloc is an indication of a shift of geopolitical power play and the steady erosion of US dominance.

While the world is closely watching the developments in the US, analysts said that irrespective of whether or not Washington defaults, the dedollarisation exercise is a reality.

ALSO READ: Potential US naval base in Papua New Guinea to offset China

Previous Story

China sentences American to life in prison on spying charges

Next Story

Join the investigation: Shehbaz on Imran’s allegations

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Severe storms ground over 1,500 US flights

In New York, the JFK International Airport saw 318 canceled

Can Nikki Haley be the Kamala Harris of Republican Party?

On paper, Nikki is a formidable candidate to contend with,