Mechanisms of Monetary Cooperation in BRICS: First Results and New Challenges

The issues of creating a more equitable global monetary and financial system have been constantly in the focus of the BRIC countries since 2006. Gradual introduction of unprecedented restrictive measures against one of the participants – Russia – forced member states to intensify the work on diminishing their dependence on actions of the United States, searching for alternative ways of payment for goods and services and reducing transactions in US dollars. The article analyses prerequisites for development of monetary cooperation within BRICS and implications of the measures already taken in this direction. The extent to which introduction of a common currency can contribute or, on the contrary, create barriers to deepening economic integration within BRICS is explored. The experience of introducing euro in the EU shows that the decision on joining a common currency is not just an economic, but also a political one. Ignoring the risks associated with a radical change in payment systems can lead to serious disruptions in the world economy and push exporters and importers away from implementation of agreements reached at the highest level. The authors come to the conclusion that speeding up currency cooperation without relying on comprehensive consideration of the interests of BRICS countries and assessment of potential costs and benefits can lead to deterioration of the terms of mutual trade against the backdrop of the US attempts to maintain the existing architecture of global monetary system with absolute domination of the US dollar.