China raises cross-border renminbi use requirement for major banks

[BEIJING] China’s central bank asked its major lenders to raise the share of renminbi when facilitating cross-border trade, in its latest push for the use of the currency as the world grapples with the onslaught of tariffs by the US.

The People’s Bank of China increased the floor ratio for renminbi-denominated trade transactions to 40 per cent from 25 per cent as part of its recent adjustment to the so-called Macro Prudential Assessment, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter. While not mandatory, banks missing the ratio often receive a lower score in regulatory review which will impact their future business expansion.

The central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The sharp increase highlights Beijing’s determination to accelerate the use of the renminbi in global trade and may have a significant impact on demand for the currency just as Trump’s sweeping tariffs raised concerns about the international appeal of US dollar-based assets.

The move comes amid negotiations between Beijing and Washington after US President Donald Trump sent shock-waves across the global economy and markets by raising tariffs on China to as high as 145 per cent. After China answered with its own increases, the two sides agreed on a 90-day truce earlier this month.

China’s imports and exports of goods amounted to 43.8 trillion yuan (S$7.8 trillion) in 2024. The proportion of cross-border renminbi payments in goods trade reached 30 per cent, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said in January.

China has been actively advancing the cross-border use of the renminbi through various initiatives over the past few months. The authorities vowed to further enhance the facilitation of cross-border financial services in Shanghai last month, including improving cross-border settlement efficiency, and optimising exchange rate hedging services.

Banks can also offer discounted service fees to exporters and importers to stoke their use of the Chinese currency.

The onshore renminbi is up 1.57 per cent this year to about 7.187 per US dollar. BLOOMBERG