The Petrodollar Agreement and the Future of OilThe term "petrodollar" refers to the value of oil bought with U.S. dollars. This concept was founded in 1974 when Saudi Arabia and the United States made an agreement to price Saudi oil exports exclusively in U.S. dollars. This arrangement had significant effects on the global economy and politics.
This system increased the global demand for U.S. dollars. Oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia committed to selling oil only in dollars, forcing other countries needing oil to acquire U.S. dollars for transactions. This continuous demand strengthened the value of the dollar in global markets.
This system also led to the widespread use of the dollar. Since oil is a strategic commodity used worldwide, the need for dollars to buy oil pushed countries to hold large reserves of dollars. This includes central banks and major companies that rely on importing oil to meet their needs.
Due to the increased demand and continuous use of the dollar, its value became stable. When there is a high and steady demand for a currency, its price fluctuations decrease, making it a stable and reliable currency for international trade. This stability enhanced the dollar's position as the world's main reserve currency.
Why Is the World Watching Now?
Recent geopolitical developments and changes in global alliances have sparked discussions about Saudi Arabia's role in the petrodollar system. Major economies like China and the European Union are emerging as key players in global oil markets, and there are serious and successful attempts to price oil in their currencies.
The BRICS aims to launch a new global economic system, and the idea of pricing oil in non-dollar currencies has been proposed. This idea is not just a theoretical study but is based on tangible real-world evidence. After the Russian war on Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions from the U.S. and the West, Russia announced it would sell its oil in rubles under certain conditions. In March 2023, a deal was made for Russia to sell oil to India, with payment in rubles. In the same month, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to consider exporting part of its oil to China in yuan.
The United Arab Emirates took the first step in this field by pricing gas in Chinese yuan. Last year, the Shanghai Stock Exchange announced the pricing of a shipment of Emirati gas in Chinese currency. The UAE did not immediately announce whether it would continue pricing part of its liquefied gas exports in yuan on the Shanghai Stock Exchange or if it was just testing the global market's reaction to this move.
Benefits for the UAE and China
For the UAE, the benefits include diversifying revenue sources and reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. This move strengthens economic ties with China, the world's second-largest economy, opening up more opportunities for cooperation and joint investments. It also represents a strategic step towards achieving greater flexibility in international financial and trade dealings.
For China, this move enhances the yuan's position as an international currency, contributing to reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in global trade. By pricing oil and gas in yuan, China can secure energy supplies with its local currency, reducing currency conversion costs and helping to enhance internal financial stability.
Impact on the Dollar
A crucial point is the global push towards renewable energy and the potential decrease in oil demand, which can significantly affect the dynamics of the petrodollar system. As the world seeks to shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, the importance of oil—and thus the petrodollar—may diminish in the global economy.
Additionally, the changing political landscape, including shifts in U.S. foreign policies and Saudi Arabia's strengthening relations with other global powers, may lead to a reevaluation of the petrodollar arrangement. These political shifts might prompt Saudi Arabia and other countries to consider using alternative currencies in oil trade.
Vision for Diversification
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates aim to diversify their economies away from oil dependence to achieve long-term economic sustainability and reduce risks associated with global oil price fluctuations.
Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" aims to diversify income sources and develop new economic sectors such as tourism, entertainment, industry, technology, and education. This program aims to create new job opportunities, attract foreign investments, and achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic growth.
The UAE focuses on developing sectors such as tourism, aviation, trade, finance, technology, real estate, education, and renewable energy. Through this vision, the UAE seeks to strengthen its position as a global hub in various fields, which it has largely succeeded in so far, and reduce its reliance on oil as a main part of its economy.
In summary, the world is closely watching Saudi Arabia and its allies because any changes in their approach to oil trade and currency preferences can have widespread effects on global financial markets, the strength of the U.S. dollar, and international economic relations.
