–James Saft is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.–
When the U.S. dollar ultimately loses its status as the world’s premier reserve currency it will be painful for all involved, almost certainly disorganized, and very possibly a very good thing.
World Bank President Robert Zoellick outlined the risks to the dollar’s status in a speech in Washington on Monday.
“The United States would be mistaken to take for granted the dollar’s place as the world’s predominant reserve currency. Looking forward, there will increasingly be other options to the dollar,” he said.
Zoellick went on to emphasize how choices in the United States on inflation, fiscal policy and financial system reform would help to influence the dollar’s fate.
