Trump vs. BRICS, the Battle for Global Currency Supremacy
Trump vs. BRICS, the Battle for Global Currency Supremacy
Geopolitical Analyst: 3-26-2025
The global financial landscape is undergoing a significant shift, and at the heart of this transformation lies a power struggle for the future of global currency supremacy.
For decades, the US dollar has reigned supreme, serving as the cornerstone of international trade, investment, and holding the coveted title of the world’s primary reserve currency.
However, the rise of new economic powerhouses, particularly the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and the expansion of the BRICS+ coalition, are challenging the dollar’s long-held dominance.
The emergence of these powerful economies, spearheaded by China and Russia, has ignited a strategic rivalry with the United States, each side vying for control over the future global currency system.
Fueling this competition is the legacy of former President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, which sought to solidify the US dollar’s position. Meanwhile, the BRICS+ nations are actively exploring alternatives to de-dollarize and diminish the US currency’s influence.
But what do these competing forces mean for the global economy, and is the US dollar truly in danger of losing its coveted position as the world’s reserve currency?
The US dollar’s dominance in the global financial system spans nearly a century. After World War II, the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944 established the US dollar as the central currency for international trade and finance. This landmark agreement, which pegged other currencies to the US dollar, solidified its position as the world’s reserve currency.
Even the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the early 1970s couldn’t dethrone the dollar, which continued to reign supreme in global finance.
Several factors have contributed to the dollar’s unparalleled strength. Foremost among them is the sheer size and resilience of the US economy. As the world’s largest economy, the United States boasts a financial system that is deep, liquid, and trusted by investors worldwide. This inherent stability attracts capital and reinforces the dollar’s attractiveness.
Furthermore, the dollar has become the default currency for key global markets, most notably the oil market. The “petrodollar” system, which mandates that oil transactions be conducted in dollars, has been instrumental in cementing the dollar’s central role in global trade and demand.
Beyond economic factors, the dollar has also benefitted from its status as the preferred reserve currency for central banks worldwide. The United States’ considerable political and military influence further reinforces the dollar’s dominance. Countries looking to engage in trade with the US or maintain access to its vast markets are incentivized to hold dollar reserves, effectively reinforcing the dollar’s global position.
Watch the video below from Geopolitical Analyst for more information.
