4 ms·

U.S. companies planted a flag all over the world for the same reason Chinese companies have done so. In 1930 the U.S. was the manufacturing giant that China is

by rayiner 10mo ago

U.S. companies planted a flag all over the world for the same reason Chinese companies have done so. In 1930 the U.S. was the manufacturing giant that China is today. I suspect the military misadventures will have to end, but that’s a good thing. In terms of reserve currency and trade deals or whatnot—I’m not persuaded it matters for economic growth. Can you point out on this chart of U.S. GDP per capita at which point we began enjoying the economic benefits of being the reserve currency? https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/peth_09-72016.jpg?x97961 https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/peth_09-72016....

phs318u 10mo ago
GDP per capita is irrelevant to the benefits of being the world's reserve currency. You could search for it yourself but I'll do you a favour. Having the US$ be the world's reserve currency means the US government can borrow far more and on more favourable terms than other countries. It's why your country seems immune to the consequences of an ever-spiralling debt burden. In addition, having the world's trade be denominated in US$ makes it incredibly easy for the US government to apply economic pressure to bear on other countries. This is a privilege that few other countries share in any meaningful way.
- zozbot234 10mo ago
  Being the world's reserve currency just means that institutional investors around the world perceive U.S.-based assets as inherently more reliable, which leads to extra demand for these assets. That can degrade a lot quicker than you might expect when you see things like the current administration pressuring the Chairman of the Federal Reserve to lower rates and create more inflation, in direct violation of a very clear Congressional mandate.
- rayiner 10mo ago
  > GDP per capita is irrelevant to the benefits of being the world's reserve currency. If none of that stuff makes the U.S. richer who cares?
  - disgruntledphd2 10mo ago
    > If none of that stuff makes the U.S. richer who cares? Your bondholders certainly care, and you've been living beyond your means for quite some time. I wish you the very best of luck with either massive expenditure cuts causing civil unrest, or hyper-inflation. Honestly, I can't even believe that someone (who generally expresses reasoned viewpoints) would question the value of being the world's reserve currency. There's definitely downsides but it's allowed a lot more flexibility for the US since the 70s.

by rayiner 10mo ago

phs318u 10mo ago

GDP per capita is irrelevant to the benefits of being the world's reserve currency. You could search for it yourself but I'll do you a favour. Having the US$ be the world's reserve currency means the US government can borrow far more and on more favourable terms than other countries. It's why your country seems immune to the consequences of an ever-spiralling debt burden. In addition, having the world's trade be denominated in US$ makes it incredibly easy for the US government to apply economic pressure to bear on other countries. This is a privilege that few other countries share in any meaningful way.

zozbot234 10mo ago
Being the world's reserve currency just means that institutional investors around the world perceive U.S.-based assets as inherently more reliable, which leads to extra demand for these assets. That can degrade a lot quicker than you might expect when you see things like the current administration pressuring the Chairman of the Federal Reserve to lower rates and create more inflation, in direct violation of a very clear Congressional mandate.
rayiner 10mo ago
> GDP per capita is irrelevant to the benefits of being the world's reserve currency. If none of that stuff makes the U.S. richer who cares?
- disgruntledphd2 10mo ago
  > If none of that stuff makes the U.S. richer who cares? Your bondholders certainly care, and you've been living beyond your means for quite some time. I wish you the very best of luck with either massive expenditure cuts causing civil unrest, or hyper-inflation. Honestly, I can't even believe that someone (who generally expresses reasoned viewpoints) would question the value of being the world's reserve currency. There's definitely downsides but it's allowed a lot more flexibility for the US since the 70s.