As of early September 2025, the Chinese renminbi (CNY) has demonstrated notable strength against the US dollar, appreciating by 2.3% this year to Rmb7.14 per dollar. This upward movement reflects China's ongoing efforts to support the renminbi amid trade negotiations with the United States, with expectations of stability being backed by a record trade surplus of $685.5 billion reported for the first seven months of 2025. Analysts attribute some of this strength to Beijing's strategic drive to further internationalize the digital yuan, seeking reduced reliance on the US dollar.
Economists note that policy initiatives aimed at boosting domestic demand and maintaining currency stability may also contribute to the renminbi's favorable position. Recent communications from the People's Bank of China suggest potential monetary easing measures, such as interest rate cuts, which could influence CNY stability in the coming months. Additionally, the reference to ongoing trade tensions with the US suggests a cautious outlook, with market participants anticipating a possible depreciation of the yuan if negotiations do not yield favorable outcomes.
Exchange rate data indicates that the CNY is trading at 90-day highs against the USD at approximately 0.1402, remaining just 0.6% above its three-month average. CNY crosses are similarly positioned: against the EUR, the yuan is at 14-day highs around 0.1203; against the GBP, it's slightly elevated at 0.1043; and against the JPY, the CNY has reached around 20.81. This overall performance positions the yuan well, particularly as it trades within stable ranges across the major currency pairs, indicating market confidence in the short-to-medium term.
In summary, while the renminbi is currently experiencing strength against several global currencies, ongoing economic pressures and external trade dynamics will continue to play a critical role in shaping its trajectory. Market participants should stay vigilant to further developments in both China's domestic policies and its trade relations as these factors could impact international transaction costs in the near future.