Dollar Tumbles After Mnuchin Endorses Weaker Currency, Ross Speaks Of Trade Wars

Caught in a relentless downward spiral which has puzzled many a trader, it wasn't as if the US Dollar needed any help in accelerating its decline, yet that's precisely what happened this morning in Davos when none other than the US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin "broke with tradition" of supporting the US currency, and said that he endorsed the dollar’s decline as a benefit to the U.S. economy.

"Obviously a weaker dollar is good for us as it relates to trade and opportunities,” Mnuchin told reporters on Wednesday at the World Economic Boondoggle in Davos. "But again I think longer term the strength of the dollar is a reflection of the strength of the U.S. economy and the fact that it is and will continue to be the primary currency in terms of the reserve currency."

Well, if China's ambitions are unchallenged, the dollar's reserve currency status may not be primary for long, but we're not there quote yet.

Meanwhile, the dollar tumbled on the news, with the Bloomberg dollar index sliding to its lowest level in three years, extending the recent slide amid investor concern over President Donald Trump’s protectionist agenda and a special counsel investigation stemming from his 2016 campaign.

Mnuchin shocked Davos participants because while it echoed Trump's own doubts over a strong currency, the Treasury Secretary's "mini QE" came as U.S. officials confront the global elite with their "America First" agenda.

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Trump Picks Former Goldman Banker Steven Mnuchin As Treasury Secretary

While it has yet to be officially confirmed by the Trump transition team, moments ago the NYT reported that - in what had previously been leaked on several occasions on various other outlets most notably the WSJ - former Goldman banker and Soros employee, Steven Mnuchin "a financier with deep roots on Wall Street and in Hollywood but no government experience" is expected to be named Donald J. Trump’s Treasury secretary as soon as Wednesday.

The WSJ has confirmed as much, reporting that "President-elect Donald Trump will name longtime banker and former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as Treasury secretary, turning to a campaign loyalist and fundraiser for the incoming administration’s top economic cabinet post, a transition official said Tuesday."

As the WSJ adds, "Mr. Mnuchin’s Wall Street pedigree presents a contrast with the populist themes Mr. Trump struck in his campaign, railing against big banks and vowing to close tax loopholes that benefit hedge funds. Mr. Trump also repeatedly attacked his rivals in the primary and general elections for their Wall Street ties, especially those connected to Goldman Sachs."

If confirmed by the Senate as Treasury secretary, Mr. Mnuchin will join a list of prominent bankers who made similar moves from Wall Street to Washington, including two of his former bosses at Goldman, Henry Paulson and Robert Rubin, who were both top Goldman executives before running Treasury.

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