中金缪延亮：美元陷阱的形成与突破——读埃斯瓦尔·S. 普拉萨德《美元陷阱》

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the sustainability of the dollar system and the so-called "dollar trap," emphasizing that while the dollar's dominance is being questioned, there are currently no viable alternatives to replace it [2][22]. Group 1: Formation of the "Dollar Trap" - The "dollar trap" is supported by three pillars: the necessity for emerging economies to hold foreign reserves, the unique status of U.S. Treasury bonds as a safe haven, and the lack of alternative safe assets [2][3][12]. - Emerging markets have accumulated significant foreign reserves, with their share rising from 37.5% to 67.2% between 2000 and 2013, driven by the need for self-insurance and currency stability [3][4]. Group 2: Characteristics of the "Dollar Trap" - Emerging countries voluntarily enter the "dollar trap" by accumulating dollar reserves to pursue export-led growth, but they face continuous devaluation risks [18]. - The "dollar trap" leads to significant potential losses for countries holding U.S. debt, as their currencies appreciate against the dollar, and U.S. inflation erodes the real purchasing power of dollar assets [19][20]. Group 3: Current Changes in the "Dollar Trap" - Since 2015, emerging markets have shown improved financial stability and reduced the necessity to accumulate foreign reserves, indicating a shift in their economic models [24]. - The credibility of U.S. Treasury bonds as a safe asset is weakening due to deteriorating economic fundamentals and fiscal discipline in the U.S., raising concerns about the sustainability of U.S. debt [26][27]. - The TINA (There Is No Alternative) framework is being challenged as emerging markets explore alternatives to the dollar, including the yuan, gold, and bitcoin [29][30].