Why the value of the US dollar is shedding cents

Nick Iluzada

If Benjamin Franklin were around today, he’d probably be battling self-worth issues, as the value of the bills with his face on them plummets. The dollar has sunk 2% against a basket of foreign currencies since the start of 2026 and almost 11% in the past year in a sign that global investors are growing bearish on Uncle Sam. Dollar dampeners Earlier this week, the greenback took its biggest one-day plunge since “Liberation Day” tariffs rattled markets in April, when President Trump—who previously spoke in favor of a weaker dollar—said he’s not concerned with the currency’s slide. While it briefly rebounded the next day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration was pursuing a strong dollar, investors have longer-term dollar disquiet: Geopolitical tensions, like Trump’s recent spat with European allies over his Greenland annexation push, are causing sheepishness about America’s future role in global finance. There are also worries that the Fed’s lowering of interest rates could fuel inflation, and that the US government debt is unsustainable. And in a sign that the dollar might be losing its status as a popular hedge in times of distress, its value is falling at the same time that fellow safe-haven assets like gold and the Swiss franc surge. Who gets stronger from a weaker dollar? A dip in the dollar can help US producers export more, since their goods become cheaper for foreign buyers. It could also boost the bottom line of American multinationals with vast overseas operations—like McDonald’s—as it would inflate revenues in dollar terms, while expenses (like the salaries of stateside executives) remain stable. On the flip side, a weak dollar makes imports—say, Italian pasta or Taiwanese computer chips—more expensive. It could push up US Treasury bond yields, making it pricier for the government and Americans to borrow money. Looking ahead: While some analysts caution that the dollar might still be far from rock bottom, others argue against dollar doomerism, citing America’s enduring dominance in global markets.