The Indicator from Planet Money
The Indicator from Planet Money
NPR
The UAE wants a dollar lifeline
8 minutes Posted Apr 30, 2026 at 7:05 am.
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With the Iran War underway, the United Arab Emirates is looking for some economic certainty. The rich Arab nation is home to a lot of foreign-held deposits, and they’re worried investors will pull those funds. So, they’re looking for an economic backstop. Enter: currency swap lines. Today, we explain why the UAE is looking to its close ally, the U.S., for a currency swap line and how it would work.

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