The Chinese Yuan is Unsettling the US Dollar: Here\'s Why
Is the US dollar\'s dominance under threat? All eyes are on the Chinese Yuan as it navigates turbulent economic waters. Recently, the Yuan has experienced significant fluctuations, raising questions about its potential to challenge the dollar\'s global standing. The situation is complex, but understanding the key factors is crucial.
Yuan\'s Recent Performance Against the Dollar
China\'s yuan has hit fresh record lows against the surging US dollar. On 28 de sept. de 2025, the internationally-traded yuan fell to its lowest level since data first became available in 2025. This wasn\'t an isolated incident. By 30 de sept. de 2025, China’s yuan, also called renminbi, slumped around 4% in September as the Fed’s tightening spurred a rally in the dollar against other currencies. The yuan fell to a low point, highlighting the pressures it faces.
The yuan has lost nearly 5% of its value against the dollar this year, prompting China\'s central bank to intervene. In recent weeks, China\'s central bank has begun pushing back on the slide, fixing the currency\'s value in an attempt to stabilize it. This intervention underscores the importance China places on managing the Yuan\'s exchange rate.
China\'s Ambition: Dethroning the Dollar
There\'s good reason why China wants to dethrone the US dollar with its yuan, or even a collective of other currencies. The dollar\'s reserve status is a privilege that grants the US significant economic advantages. Amidst such chaos, China is leaving no stone unturned to catapult its currency, the Yuan, onto a global stage. Here’s a look at the dollar’s newest competitor, which may have the potential to reshape the international financial landscape.
The Yuan\'s Challenges: Liquidity, Market Depth, and Capital Controls
Despite its ambitions, the Yuan faces several hurdles. Until China opens its capital account, the yuan will struggle to rival the U.S. dollar’s dominance in global trade, reserve holdings, and financial markets. Have you ever wondered why this is so crucial?
Moreover, the yuan has two other disadvantages in its quest to supplant the dollar. China’s financial markets have neither liquidity nor what financial people call market depth. These are essential for a currency to be widely used and trusted on a global scale.
The US Perspective: Trade Imbalances and Exchange Rates
The US has claimed for a number of years that the yuan’s exchange rate was too weak, reducing the cost of Chinese exports to the US and boosting the trade imbalance. This ongoing debate adds another layer of complexity to the relationship between the two currencies.
The Future of the Yuan and the Dollar
The interplay between the Chinese Yuan and the US dollar is a dynamic and evolving situation. While the Yuan faces challenges, China\'s commitment to internationalizing its currency suggests that it will continue to play an increasingly significant role in the global economy. Whether it can truly "unsettle" the US dollar remains to be seen, but the ongoing competition is undoubtedly reshaping the financial world.