This chapter explores the ongoing debate surrounding the dollar's dominance as the world's reserve currency. Expert Ishwar Prasad discusses the differences between diversification and de-dollarization, highlighting the lack of a viable competitor to the dollar despite its weaknesses and the mixed signals from the US administration regarding the dollar's value.
The world is trying to diversify away from the dollar's dominance (57%+ of assets in one currency).
The dollar's role as a reserve, payment, and funding currency is unmatched.
Weaknesses in other currencies (China's capital mobility issues, Eurozone's institutional challenges) maintain dollar's strength.
US macroeconomic policies, particularly fiscal deficits, negatively impact the dollar, but other countries' challenges keep it afloat.
Mixed messaging from the US administration regarding dollar's value creates uncertainty.