There is no denying that 2025 has seen tension between the West and the Global South reach a fever pitch. That is only expected to continue throughout this year, as a plethora of BRICS trade agreements look to end the petrodollar’s dominance.
The economic alliance has spearheaded efforts to increase trade settlements in local currencies. Moreover, that should continue to extend into the oil industry, which may only increase the growing geopolitical uncertainty between the United States and the bloc.
Also Read: BRICS May Be in Trouble as Experts Project ‘Tariff-Driven’ US Dollar Surge
BRICS Eye an End to the Petrodollar: How Will Donald Trump Respond?
Since his 2024 presidential election win, Donald Trump has placed a clear target on the BRICS alliance. Their previous efforts to de-dollarize global markets led the President to threaten 150% tariffs on membership nations. Yet, that has not deterred its continued pursuit of US dollar alternatives in a host of sectors.
Moreover, that hasn’t limited the attractiveness of the BRICS bloc for developing nations. Three new nations have been invited to the bloc’s annual summit, all of which are eyeing a position in the collective. Moreover, their presence could only further efforts for BRICS to use new trade agreements to end the petrodollar’s dominance.
Also Read: BRICS: Russia & Iran Announce New Deal to Boost Trade
Due to the presence of sanctions, Russia pivoted into oil trade settlement currencies in 2022. Specifically, 78% of oil exports to fellow BRICS members China and India were in local currencies over the two years that followed. Comparatively, just 32% were settled in local currencies in 2021.
The alliance’s hopes of de-dollarizing the oil market can be clearly seen in the allies it has embraced. Since the arrival of BRICS+, it has welcomed Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Iran. Those nations are some of the top oil producers in the world. Moreover, many stand to also see the petrodollar cease to hold as much dominance as it does.
If it were successful, it would be a monumental blow to the United States. The BRICS bloc holds more than 40% of the world’s oil and gas reserves Although 58% of currency reserves are still held in the greenback, it presents a key point of conflict that is building on already concerning relations between BRICS and the US.