Navigating the US dollar's Trajectory: Trade Policies, Inflation, and Economic Dynamics | Amundi HK Retail

Navigating the US dollar's Trajectory: Trade Policies, Inflation, and Economic Dynamics

USD

Key takeaways

  • Trump's trade policies, including tariffs, could lead to a contraction in global trade, negatively affecting export-driven economies while benefiting the more domestically oriented US economy.

  • China's surplus capacity may induce further disinflation in Europe, exacerbating tensions with major trading partners and potentially supporting the USD as concerns about policy divergences with the Federal Reserve arise.

  • The new US administration's policies may increase inflation, creating greater uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory and its impact on the USD.

  • While short-term factors may provide support for the USD, the long-term outlook suggests a possible weakening due to potential adverse growth shocks from higher tariffs and their effects on the US economy.

  • Economic pressures from higher tariffs could necessitate interest rate cuts, which may further contribute to a decline in the USD over time.

The victory of Donald Trump in the US elections had an immediate consequence: a significant appreciation of the US dollar (USD). However, what are the projections for the coming months? 

EUR/USD

Source: Amundi, February 2025

Three factors may contribute to a stronger USD and increased foreign exchange (FX) volatility in the near term:

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  • Trump’s aggressive trade diplomacy, including the imposition of tariffs, may result in a contraction of global trade. This could cause export-driven economies to suffer more than the US, which is more domestically oriented. However, it remains uncertain to what extent Trump will effectively implement comprehensive tariffs on his trading partners.

  • China’s surplus capacity may induce further disinflation in Europe if the US opts for broadly applied tariffs on Chinese imports. The oversupply of Chinese goods in key industries has already exacerbated tensions between the world’s largest manufacturer and its major trading partners, including the European Union. Having dominated the production of clothing and consumer electronics in the past, China now leads in industries deemed strategically important for the energy transition. Disinflation patterns in Europe could heighten concerns about policy divergences with the Federal Reserve, thereby supporting the USD.

  • The new US administration’s policies may lead to an increase in inflation in the US, creating greater uncertainty regarding the Federal Reserve’s trajectory. A depreciation of the USD would necessitate a bull-steepening of the US yield curve; that is, a strong increase in the spread between short-term rates and long-term rates.

new york time square

While each of these factors could plausibly support the USD, we believe that a resurgence in US inflation and a spike in interest rate volatility are the only scenarios that would lead to substantial appreciation of the USD. However, we find it challenging to believe that such a trend can be sustained and anticipate that the USD could eventually weaken in 2025.

The adverse growth shock from higher tariffs could ultimately weigh on the US economy, making the need for interest rate cuts more apparent than ever, considering the state of public finances and associated interest expenses. We foresee increased confidence in rate cuts as a catalyst for a lower USD.

In conclusion, while several factors could temporarily bolster the US dollar, the long-term outlook suggests potential weakening. The interaction between aggressive trade policies, global economic dynamics, and domestic inflationary pressures will be crucial in shaping the USD's trajectory. As the US navigates these complex challenges, the dynamics and timing of interest rate cuts and their impact on the dollar will be pivotal. Investors and policymakers alike must remain vigilant and adaptable to the evolving economic landscape.

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