Iran proposes new currency for trade with China, Russia, India, Pakistan in Shanghai Cooperation Org

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Iran has proposed creating a new currency to do trade with China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Tehran sent a letter to the SCO in early 2022 suggesting that a new currency could help the Eurasian nations strengthen their bilateral trade with each other, according to Iran’s foreign minister for economic diplomacy, Mehdi Safari.

A Eurasian currency would also make it easier for these countries to circumvent unilateral Western sanctions, which are illegal under international law.

Such a development would directly challenge the US-dominated financial system and the status of the dollar as the de facto global reserve currency. The US dollar is still used in the majority of global trade transactions, although the overall percentage is shrinking by the year.

Brazil’s left-wing leader Lula da Silva has similarly pledged that, if he wins the October 2022 presidential elections, he will create a new currency for trade within Latin America, called the Sur (“South”), in order to combat “the dependency on the dollar”.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a Eurasian political and economic alliance that brings together countries representing more than 40% of global population and roughly one-third of the world’s GDP.

The SCO was formed in the 2001, at first largely as a security organization aimed at combatting terrorism and extremism and promoting peace and stability in Asia.

In the two decades since, the SCO has evolved into a highly influential political and economic organization.

China, Russia, India, and Pakistan are all members of the SCO, along with the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Iran became accepted as a member of the SCO in September 2021, initiating a technical accession process that could take a year or two.

Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia are also recognized as SCO observer states.

On May 26, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held its 17th forum meeting, via video. The conference was chaired by Russia.

Dozens of figures from the eight Eurasian member states discussed “more intensive interaction between the SCO states in the field of international security, economic cooperation matters and expanded cultural and humanitarian cooperation”, the organization reported.

Several members of the SCO, including Russia, Iran, and China, have been targeted by unilateral US sanctions, which violate international law.

A new Eurasian currency would help these sanctioned nations trade with each other, without the need of dollars and access to the US-controlled financial system.

Russia and China have sought to de-dollarize their economies for several years, recognizing how the US government has weaponized its currency through the use of financial sanctions.

The devastating Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its military intervention in Ukraine have accelerated this process of de-dollarization.

The Western proxy war on Russia has also led to a significant deepening of the integration of the Russian and Chinese economies.

These sanctions have likewise encouraged countries in Asia to develop new forms of trade using other currencies.

China is purchasing Russian oil in its own currency, the yuan.

India and Russia are doing trade together in their own currencies, the rupee and ruble, respectively.

In 2020, Iran’s central bank effectively dropped the dollar and listed the Chinese yuan as its top foreign exchange currency.

China and Iran subsequently signed a historic 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021. As part of the deal, China will reportedly invest $400 billion to help develop Iran’s economy and infrastructure, in return for oil.

https://multipolarista.com/2022/06/02/iran-currency-shanghai-cooperation-organization/

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Good bye USD and your Western economic sanctions! A new Sherriff is in town!
 
Quite interesting, I don't see it happening yet but even talks of it happening is a massive step.

Out of interest what's the need for the creation of a separate currency? can't they trade via local currencies or pick the Yuan for example
 
Quite interesting, I don't see it happening yet but even talks of it happening is a massive step.

Out of interest what's the need for the creation of a separate currency? can't they trade via local currencies or pick the Yuan for example

That way that currency if once functional like euro could be used among these nations and later if others want to join(assuming it can be used as reserve to buy oil/gas from Russia-Iran, Manufacturing from China, services from India, agricultural products from Pakistan)

also from article:

“A new Eurasian currency would help these sanctioned nations trade with each other, without the need of dollars and access to the US-controlled financial system.”
 
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It’s highly improbable idea with consequences which right now most members except for Iran can’t handle.

India- China are still majorly dependent upon US as an export market they wouldn’t annoy West to that extent.
 
It is a Good idea dollar/euro has too much power and We Can see the West is using it as power.
 
so an "Asiano" of sorts?

I think its a good idea and should have been done a long time ago. The whole world is held hostage to a few countries currency and the playing field should be more neutral, in my opinion.
 
so an "Asiano" of sorts?

I think its a good idea and should have been done a long time ago. The whole world is held hostage to a few countries currency and the playing field should be more neutral, in my opinion.

I think an interesting question is,
How will the value of this currency be set against? Gold? Silver? British pounds etc?
And more importantly, who will have the printing press?
 
I think an interesting question is,
How will the value of this currency be set against? Gold? Silver? British pounds etc?
And more importantly, who will have the printing press?

Same as what Euro is backed by? Probably along those lines.
 
Pakistan doesnt have an independant economy, and if it indulges in this, i would guess they would have to say good bye to imf money.

Once they say good bye, will shangai co-op be willing to fund our economy? We have already wasted imf loans on sehat cards and would be wasting many more of them in future and rely on them aswell.

Another issue is, who will make sure that no default payments happen. People are mentioning about how US has a hold but the reason for that is simply because US never defaults on repayment.

Third issue is India. India likes to play politics and has alot of issues with other countries. They are always trying to prove to the world that they are a regional power. Thus, india might want to shift hq to their country or try to adopt indian rupee. If they have issue with any country they might even default on payments aswell which could further detoriate the common currency.

If they do go with a common currency, than there needs to be free movement of some goods aswell
 
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