24 January 2024
The Atlantic Council has identified the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes as a key driver behind the growing trend of de-dollarization globally. The Fed’s rate increases, coinciding with the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have made dollar borrowing costlier and less accessible. This change has encouraged emerging market firms to explore alternatives like the Chinese Yuan (RMB). The think tank also acknowledges the geopolitical elements in play, particularly the Western sanctions against Russia, which have frozen Moscow’s currency reserves and restricted its access to the global financial system, further accelerating the move away from the U.S. dollar.