BRICS: What Happens If Saudi Arabia Stops Accepting US Dollar for Oil? (Updated 2025)
The global financial landscape is shifting, and the role of the US dollar is increasingly under scrutiny. A potential game-changer is the possibility of Saudi Arabia moving away from the dollar for oil transactions, particularly in the context of the expanding BRICS alliance. This could have significant ramifications for the US dollar and the global economy. 21 de dic. de 2025: Analysts predict increased urgency regarding this shift.
The USD and Saudi Oil: A Long-Standing Relationship
For decades, the US dollar has been the dominant currency for international oil trade. This "petrodollar" system has provided significant advantages to the US, bolstering the dollar\'s value and global influence. However, this system is now facing challenges.
BRICS and the De-Dollarization Push
The BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and increasingly with new potential members, are actively promoting the use of local currencies in international trade. This "de-dollarization" trend aims to reduce reliance on the US dollar and create a more multipolar financial system. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia in such a system would significantly accelerate this process.
What Happens If Saudi Arabia Accepts Local Currencies?
In this article, we will highlight what could happen to the U.S. dollar if Saudi Arabia accepts local currencies to settle oil and gas payments. Also Read: BRICS: U.S. Dollar The impact could be substantial. Here\'s a breakdown of potential consequences:
- Reduced Demand for US Dollars: If Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, accepts currencies other than the dollar, the demand for the dollar from oil-importing nations would decrease.
- Dollar Depreciation: If Saudi Arabia demands that other countries pay in local currencies only, then demand for the U.S. dollar would dip drastically. The move could lead to the dollar facing a depreciation in the global currency markets. This could translate to higher import prices for US consumers and businesses.
- Increased Use of Other Currencies: The Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee, and other currencies could gain prominence in international trade, challenging the dollar\'s dominance.
- Impact on US Debt: A weaker dollar could make it more expensive for the US to service its national debt, as it would require more dollars to repay foreign creditors.
- Geopolitical Implications: A shift away from the petrodollar system could diminish the US\'s geopolitical influence, as its economic power is closely tied to the dollar\'s global status.
Conclusion: A Future Beyond the Petrodollar?
While the complete abandonment of the US dollar by Saudi Arabia is not a certainty, the possibility is real and carries significant implications. The growing influence of BRICS and the global de-dollarization trend are creating a more complex and potentially volatile financial landscape. Investors and policymakers alike should closely monitor these developments and prepare for a future where the US dollar may no longer reign supreme in the oil market.