464 | Saleha Mohsin: How the Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order
Mar 19, 2024
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Exploring the impact of the strong dollar consensus post-Cold War on American manufacturing, Trump administration's stance, role of Treasury Department in maintaining superpower status, and increasing use of financial sanctions from War on Terror to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Post-Cold War strong dollar policy impacted US job loss vs. superpower status maintenance.
US leverages dollar in foreign policy through economic sanctions, impacting global geopolitics.
Deep dives
The Impact of Dollar Policy on American Economics
The podcast discusses how the post-Cold War strong dollar policy influenced American economics, transitioning from superpower status maintenance to job loss due to cheap imports. The bipartisan consensus on the strong dollar faced challenges post-2016, impacting debates on sanctions in conflict scenarios.
The Evolution of Dollar Policy and Manufacturing Impact
The discussion delves into the historical context of US dollar policy pre-1990s, characterized by currency volatility and interventions. The shift to a strong dollar policy, championed by figures like Robert Rubin, aimed to stabilize the economy and global trade, impacting sectors like manufacturing. The impact of a strong dollar on imports and exports is highlighted.
The Weaponization of the Dollar in Foreign Policy
Exploring the concept of weaponizing the dollar, the podcast examines how the US leverages the dollar in foreign policy through economic sanctions. Examples like actions against terrorist financing post-9/11 and sanctions on countries like Russia demonstrate the geopolitical influence of US currency policy.
Challenges of Creating Alternative Monetary Systems
The podcast addresses discussions on creating alternative monetary systems, such as with the BRICS countries, to reduce reliance on the US dollar. While initiatives exist, challenges like differing economic interests and the resilience of the dollar as a safe haven asset hinder a swift transition. The importance of a strong US economy and democratic stability in maintaining dollar dominance is emphasized.
Saleha Mohsin, author of Paper Soldiers: How the Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order and Senior Washington Correspondent for Bloomberg News, joins The Realignment. Saleha and Marshall discuss the "strong dollar" consensus that emerged after the end of the Cold War, the resulting tradeoff between cheap consumer imports and the decimation of the manufacturing sector, how the Trump administration began to turn against the strong dollar consensus, the role the Treasury Department and the dollar play in perpetuating America's superpower status, and the increasing use of financial sanctions from the War on Terror to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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