首个叫板美国的国家出现了：没义务用美元结算，就算切断对美贸易

Core Viewpoint - A silent financial revolution is unfolding globally, with multiple countries moving away from the US dollar towards local currency settlements, initiated by Russia and followed by China, Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia [1][4]. Group 1: Impact of Sanctions on Global Financial Systems - The freezing of approximately $300 billion of Russian foreign reserves by the US and its allies marked a significant shock to the global financial system, demonstrating the vulnerability of assets held in the dollar system [3][5]. - The International Monetary Fund reported a decline in the dollar's share of global foreign exchange reserves from 71.14% in 2000 to 57.8% in 2024, indicating a growing trend of countries distancing themselves from dollar dominance [7]. Group 2: Shift to Local Currency Settlements - Russia's "ruble settlement order" mandated that natural gas trade with "unfriendly countries" must be conducted in rubles, leading to European countries reluctantly opening ruble accounts to facilitate payments [9]. - Brazil's decision to implement direct trade settlements in local currencies with China in March 2023 marked a significant shift in Latin America, challenging the necessity of the dollar as an intermediary [10][12]. - India's establishment of a local currency settlement mechanism with the UAE and subsequent agreements with 18 other countries to support trade in rupees reflects a strategic move to create a currency trade network independent of the dollar [14]. Group 3: Changes in Oil Trade Dynamics - Saudi Arabia's decision not to renew its 50-year oil dollar agreement has raised concerns about the future of the dollar's role in oil pricing, with reports suggesting a potential shift to transactions in yuan [16][20]. - The implementation of "oil-for-goods" agreements between Iran and Iraq signifies a growing trend of bypassing dollar settlements in oil trade, establishing new trade paradigms in the Middle East [22]. Group 4: Digital Currency Innovations - Russia's adoption of a digital currency for cross-border payments, effective from September 2024, represents a significant technological shift that could undermine traditional banking systems and US financial oversight [24]. - The mBridge project, involving multiple countries, aims to facilitate direct digital currency cross-border payments, further reducing reliance on the dollar [24][26].