So you think it was hard currency deficit?
It was one of many issues. Not much the Soviets could export for hard cash except for its resources and weapons.
Wanna $10 AK47? Com on down to crazy Ivan’s house of guns!!!!
Yes, a hard currency deficit cuased by collapsing energy prices which was a main source of their income.That is why they never had any goods on the shelves to sell at the end. They never had a dynamic economy and they had all those third world satellite beggar nations who depended on them for support.Reagan once asked rhetorically in a cabinet meeting what do we have more of than the USSR. Many thought he was referring to missiles. He said money.And that was the game plan to outspend them into oblivion.