Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has proposed the creation of a common currency for trade and investment among the Brics nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This suggestion was made during a Brics summit in Johannesburg, where officials and economists have acknowledged the challenges associated with such a move, considering the economic, political, and geographic disparities among the member countries.
President Lula da Silva believes that nations not using the dollar should not be compelled to trade in the currency. He has also advocated for a common currency within the Mercosur bloc of South American countries. Russian president Vladimir Putin, who participated in the summit via video link, supported the idea of discussing a shift in trade between member countries away from the dollar and towards national currencies. China, however, has not expressed its stance on the matter.
The establishment of a Brics currency would be a “political project,” according to South African central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago, as he stated in July. Trade imbalances also pose a challenge, as highlighted by Herbert Poenisch, a senior fellow at Zhejiang University. President Putin emphasized the ongoing process of de-dollarization during the summit, although the dollar still dominates global trade, representing one side of almost 90% of global foreign exchange transactions.
De-dollarizing would require countless exporters, importers, borrowers, lenders, and currency traders worldwide to independently decide to use alternative currencies. While the proposal for a common currency within the Brics nations is ambitious, it faces significant hurdles. Critics argue that the economic, political, and geographic disparities among the member countries make it difficult to establish a viable common currency. Moreover, the dominance of the dollar in global trade presents a major obstacle to de-dollarization.
Despite these challenges, the discussion surrounding the creation of a Brics currency highlights the desire among member countries to reduce their vulnerability to the dollar and explore alternative means of trade and investment. The proposal also underscores the growing momentum towards de-dollarization in international economic relations. However, it remains to be seen whether the Brics nations can overcome the obstacles and successfully implement a common currency.
In conclusion, President Lula da Silva’s proposal for a common currency within the Brics nations has generated significant interest and debate. While the idea holds potential for reducing dependence on the dollar, the practical implementation faces numerous challenges. The Brics nations will need to address economic, political, and geographic disparities, as well as navigate the dominance of the dollar in global trade. Nevertheless, the proposal reflects a broader trend towards de-dollarization in international economic relations, highlighting the desire for greater autonomy and diversification in trade and investment.
Source: Reuters
