# The dollar's doldrums - The Japan Times

> Economist Barry Eichengreen writes that the broad effective dollar fell 8% between January 2017 and January 2018, contrary to expectations of tax cuts, rate hikes and tariffs pushing it higher. He argues that tariffs would normally require a stronger real exchange rate to offset their effects on an economy near full employment. The column explores why the expected dollar strength has not materialized.

- Date: 2018-03-19 · published 2018-03-19T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: macro · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/66190-the-dollar-s-doldrums-the-japan-times
- Commodities: [US Dollar (Broad)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/DXY.md)

## Why it matters

Persistent dollar weakness supports US commodity exports priced in dollars, while tariff-driven currency adjustments could alter trade flows for soy and corn. The outlook is an analytical view rather than a new market shock.

## Read by commodity

- DXY: bearish ▼

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DXY | 2019-12-30 | [Good time to buy yen with your dollars, history suggests - The Japan Times](https://feedsoft.ai/events/55793-good-time-to-buy-yen-with-your-dollars-history-suggests-the-japan-times.md) | -0.2% | +0.4% |
| DXY | 2018-01-24 | [Why the dollar is weak](https://feedsoft.ai/events/67171-why-the-dollar-is-weak.md) | -0.8% | -0.1% |
| DXY | 2025-04-17 | [Trade Wars and the U.S. Dollar \| PIMCO](https://feedsoft.ai/events/25333-trade-wars-and-the-u-s-dollar-pimco.md) | -0.2% | -0.5% |
| DXY | 2017-12-13 | [Gold jumps 1% as dollar slips on Fed rate outlook - The Business Times](https://feedsoft.ai/events/67390-gold-jumps-1-as-dollar-slips-on-fed-rate-outlook-the-business-times.md) | -0.4% | -1.8% |
| DXY | 2017-07-27 | [The U.S. dollar drop could send gold prices soaring](https://feedsoft.ai/events/69899-the-u-s-dollar-drop-could-send-gold-prices-soaring.md) | -0.6% | -0.5% |

## Sources

- japantimes.co.jp: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2018/03/19/commentary/world-commentary/the-dollars-doldrums/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.