The US dollar has remained at the top of the charts for several decades, and being at the top comes with its own perils, as it leads to having several enemies. Many countries and detractors are looking to pull the greenback down and replace it with their own local currencies. The tug of war has been ongoing for decades, but gained full steam in 2022, after the White House imposed sanctions on Russia for invading and waging war against its neighbouring country Ukraine.
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The US Dollar’s Enemies Are Not Foreign
The DXY index, which tracks the performance of the US dollar, has been range-bound this year. It hovered at 99 on Wednesday and is up 1.53% year-to-date. However, in 2026, the US dollar has a different set of enemies that are close to home. While foreign adversaries are unable to topple the USD, the situation in the homeland is actually affecting the markets. The average person on the street is the one bearing the brunt of the effects.
These are now the 2 most important enemies of the US dollar in 2026:
- Federal Reserve expectations: The Feds are in a sticky wicket, as not raising interest rates weakens the US dollar. If they raise rates, global investors who want better fixed returns will flock into the markets. However, that comes with a price, as the common man will find it expensive to borrow money. This leads to a slower economy, as consumption reduces.
- Stubborn inflation: The current US inflation rate is 3.4%, which is well above the normal 2% level. The geopolitical uncertainty has led to this situation, in which prices of everyday commodities have surged. From everyday essentials to gas prices and construction costs, all of these are taking a big bite out of paychecks. Inflation is eroding the purchasing power of the US dollar, and the common man is the one being hit.