André Sapir
André Sapir, a Belgian citizen, is Senior Fellow at Bruegel. He is also University Professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Research Fellow of the London-based Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Between 1990 and 2004, he worked for the European Commission, first as Economic Advisor to the Director-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, and then as Principal Economic Advisor to President Prodi, also heading his Economic Advisory Group. In 2004, he published 'An Agenda for a Growing Europe', a report to the president of the Commission by a group of independent experts that is known as the Sapir report. After leaving the Commission, he first served as External Member of President Barroso’s Economic Advisory Group and then as Member of the General Board (and Chair of the Advisory Scientific Committee) of the European Systemic Risk Board based at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.
André has written extensively on European integration, international trade, and globalisation. He holds a PhD in economics from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he worked under the supervision of Béla Balassa. He was elected Member of the Academia Europaea and of the Royal Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts.
Disclaimer of external interests
Featured work
The European Commission's fiscal rules proposal: a bold plan with flaws that can be fixed
The European Commission’s proposal for reforming the EU fiscal rules is far-reaching, but its shortcomings need to be addressed.
Is globalisation really doomed?
Globalisation is under attack; to preserve its benefits, healthy domestic social contracts are essential.
EU Enlargement in a New Light
A collection of articles compiled following a joint Bruegel-Intereconomics event on EU enlargment.
Does the war in Ukraine call for a new Next Generation EU?
The European Union should take significant economic measures in response to the war in Ukraine, but a new Next Generation EU is not needed yet.
Green public procurement: A neglected tool in the European Green Deal toolbox?
A new EU regulatory action in public procurement could unlock the potential of green public procurement and add an important element to the European G
How should the EU respond to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine’s membership aspirations?
European Union membership for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine is at present unrealistic, but they should be offered more than Association Agreements.
The European Union’s carbon border mechanism and the WTO
To avoid any backlash, the European Union should work with other World Trade Organisation members to define basic principles of CBAM.
Urgent reform of the EU resolution framework is needed
In this blog, the authors argue that two aspects of the European resolution framework are particularly in need of reform – the bail-in regime and the
Is the European Union’s investment agreement with China underrated?
The European Union-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment binds Chinese liberalisation of its foreign investment regulations under an internation
Getting America Back In The Game: A Multilateral Perspective
How can friends of the multilateral system re-engage the United States under President-elect Biden?
China and the WTO: Why Multilateralism Still Matters
An examination of China’s participation in the World Trade Organization, the conflicts it has caused, and how WTO reforms could ease them.
The double irony of the new UK-EU trade relationship
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed between the European Union and the United Kingdom goes against six decades of UK efforts to avoid being eco
Data flows, artificial intelligence and international trade: impacts and prospects for the value chains of the future
In-depth briefing and analysis on the issues of digital trade and the geopolitics of trade provided to the European Parliament.
Socio-economic effects of digital trade and artificial intelligence on EU industries including their value chains and EU imports and exports with major trade partners
Testimony before the European Parliament on the subject of digital trade.
Why has COVID-19 hit different European Union economies so differently?
All European Union countries are undergoing severe output losses as a consequence of COVID-19, but some have been hurt more than others. Factors poten
Political Assessment of Possible Reactions of EU Main Trading Partners to EU Border Carbon Measures
This briefing was prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA).
What the EU should do and not do on trade in medical equipment
The European Union has introduced export controls on some medical supplies. This was a mistake. It should announce that it is withdrawing the measure,
An effective economic response to the Coronavirus in Europe
'Whatever it takes' needs to be the motto to preserve lives and reduce the impact on the economy of the epidemic.
Questions to Phil Hogan, Commissioner-designate for Trade
At the presentation of her team for the next European Commission, President-elect Ursula von der Leyen declared that hers will be a ‘geopolitical Comm
Border Carbon Tariffs: Giving Up on Trade to Save the Climate?
Ursula von der Leyen plans to introduce a border carbon tax to avoid that cutting EU carbon emissions forces EU companies to move their activities abr
A strategic agenda for the new EU leadership
Memo to the presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament. 'A strategic agenda for the new EU leadership' by Maria Demertzis, André Sa
China and the world trade organisation: towards a better fit
China’s participation in the WTO has been anything but smooth, as its self-proclaimed socialist market economy system has alienated its trading partne
Promoting sustainable and inclusive growth and convergence in the European Union
This Policy Contribution was written for the Informal ECOFIN Meeting, Bucharest, 5 April 2019. The authors look at the EU’s economic agenda, discussin
France’s institutional system favours rebellion against its leader
The 'yellow vest' movement proves that France's political and budgetary centralism, as the source of citizens' feelings of abandonment and revolt, mus
The EU - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
This paper was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) and analyses the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
One size does not fit all: European integration by differentiation
The need for reform of the EU is increasingly urgent. The authors of this policy brief suggest a new governance model, combining a bare-bones EU with
High public debt in euro-area countries: comparing Belgium and Italy
This Policy Contribution looks at the evolution of public debt in Belgium and Italy since 1990 and uses the debt dynamics equation to explain the cont
International trade under attack: what strategy for Europe?
This Policy Contribution analyses the economic consequences of a full-scale trade war. The US position, focusing on bilateral trade imbalances presuma
Europe should avoid a no-deal Brexit
The UK government finally tabled a serious proposal for the country’s future relationship with the European Union (EU). The White Paper puts the ball
Making a reality of Europe’s Capital Markets Union
It is high time to make the CMU project real.The authors of this publication suggest that capital markets will only transform with concrete action and
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: Time for a reset
It is only in the last decade that the EU has had an active policy to reintegrate workers who lost their jobs as a result of globalisation, through th
Europe in a new world order
The EU is a relatively open economy and has benefited from the multilateral system. We argue that the EU should defend its strategic interests. The Si
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: Easing the pain from trade?
With the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), the EU now has an instrument to help workers negatively affected by trade find new jobs. Howev
Brexit, phase two (and beyond): The future of the EU-UK relationship
Whether it looks more like ‘CETA-plus’ or ‘EEA-minus’, the trade deal that emerges from phase two of the Brexit negotiations should not be the limit o
The time is right for a European Monetary Fund
Two of the banking union’s pillars – common European supervision by the European Central Bank and common European resolution by the Single Resolution
Should the EU have the power to vet foreign takeovers?
Should the EU have the power to vet foreign takeovers? André Sapir and Alicia Garcia-Herrero debate the issue, which has become topical in view of rec
Review of EU-third country cooperation on policies falling within the ITRE domain in relation to Brexit
What is the possible future relationship between the EU and the UK in light of Brexit? The report provides a critical assessment of the implications o
We need a European Monetary Fund, but how should it work?
Many voices are calling for the ESM to be developed into a fully-fledged European Monetary Fund. But what changes would this entail, and how could the
International arbitration is the way to settle the UK’s Brexit bill
The UK-EU financial settlement risks becoming a toxic stumbling block in Brexit negotiations. But there are actually much more important issues to dis
Trump’s U-turn on trade with China is good news, but the EU should not be complacent
President Trump has so far been softer on China than his campaign promises predicted. This is welcome. However, the EU has a lot at stake, and should
Europe in a new world order
In this paper the authors explore what the EU’s strategic reaction should be to US diminishing giant policies, and the EU’s role in a world of declini
Making the best of Brexit for the EU27 financial system
The EU27 needs to upgrade its financial surveillance architecture to minimise the financial market fragmentation resulting from Brexit
Beyond hard, soft and no Brexit
There is still a certain degree of fuzziness about what the different degrees of Brexit entail. We attempt to fill this gap by setting out the options
The Continental Partnership proposal: a reply to five main criticisms
The proposal for a Continental Partnership (CP) has received a great deal of attention. Two of the authors, André Sapir and Guntram Wolff, clarify som
Europe after Brexit: A proposal for a continental partnership
This paper leaves aside the issue of EU reform and focuses on the desirable EU-UK relationship after Brexit. The authors argue that none of the existi
Should the UK pull out of the EU customs union?
The UK Government appears divided on whether the United Kingdom should seek to remain within the European Union’s customs union after Brexit. The Unit
The UK’s sovereignty myth
Those who argue that Brexit would let the UK “take back sovereignty” overlook the impact of trade on domestic law-making.
The Eurozone needs less heterogeneity
Misalignments of real exchange rates continue to be the most visible and painful symptom of asymmetric shocks within the Eurozone. An important factor
One market, two monies: the European Union and the United Kingdom
So far, having more than one currency in the EU has not undermined the single market. However, attempts to deepen integration in the banking, labour
Public Hearing on the EU´s Future Trade and Investment Strategy
Committee on International Trade (INTA), European Parliament, 12 November 2015.
Priorities for euro area governance reforms
In order to calm fears about weak euro area governance: better fiscal governance and a mechanism to ensure competitiveness despite the absence of
The whys and hows of a single market for Europe
Be it sluggish growth performance, high unemployment or an incomplete monetary union, completing the single market is often offered as a silver bullet
The long road towards the European single market
This paper argues that identifying and quantifying the channels through which market integration is expected to engender growth is methodological
Euro-area governance: what to reform and how to do it
This Policy Brief argues that the Euro-area governance needs to move beyond the improvements brought about by banking union and should establish
Juncker’s investment plan: No risk – no return
President Juncker has presented the key features of the European Commission’s plan to boost investment in the EU. In this blog post we review the most
Measuring Europe’s investment problem
Under the leadership of Vice President Katainen, the Commission has designed a plan which will be announced this week. The announcement of the investm
EU to DO 2015-2019
Memos to the new EU leadership.
Juncker's first move
One early move that Juncker should make is to do away with the current European Commission college structure of one portfolio for each of the 28 membe
The great transformation: Memo to the incoming EU Presidents
This memo is addressed to the incoming Presidents of the European institutions. It is the first in a series of memos to the new European leadership to
#EU2DO for the new European Presidents
After the elections: New European leadership needs to focus on results
Voters across the European Union have given a loud signal in the European elections that they are unhappy with their economic and social situatio
Trade relations between the EU and its Eastern neighbours
Japan and the EU in the global economy
This report analyses economic issues facing Japan and Europe. It identifies some of the channels through which Europe can learn from Japan, and viceve
Discussion: Can border carbon taxes fit into the global trade regime?
Reinhard Quick – Director Brussels Office of the German Chemical Industry Association, as well as a well-known trade specialist in Brussels and H
The troika and financial assistance in the euro area
The long haul: managing exit from financial assistance
Countries can make a clean exit from financial assistance, or enter a new programme or a precautionary programme, depending on the sustainability of t
The Troika and financial assistance in the euro area: successes and failures
This study was presented to the ECON committee of the European Parliament.It provides a systematic evaluation of financial assistance for Greece, Irel
France and Germany must both change economic strategy
A more balanced economic strategy in the two countries is crucial to help the peripheral countries solve their own predicaments and ensure the sustain
EU-US trade talks get dose of realism
Bruegel year in review - 2013
Can border carbon taxes fit into the global trade regime?
This Policy Brief highlights some weaknesses in the standard argumentation for BCAs. But there is an alternative argument for border carbon measures,
Non-public testimony on the Troika's working and the effectiveness of financial assistance programs in the euro area.
Manufacturing Europe's growth
Europe's policies should focus on the high-end industries that are driving Europe's productivity growth.
Europas Finanzsystem neu gestalten
Bruegel-Forscher André Sapir und Guntram B. Wolff über die Reform des Bankensektors
Bruegel Publication Launch: Manufacturing Europe's Future
Manufacturing Europe’s future
‘Manufacturing Europe’s future’ means getting the policies right for firms to grow and prosper. It is not about picking one sector over another, but p
Reshaping Europe’s financial system
With the upcoming Asset Quality Review (AQR) by the European Central Bank, Europe has a chance to fundamentally reshape its financial system to make i
The neglected side of banking union: reshaping Europe’s financial system
Policy contribution presented at the informal ECOFIN in Vilnius on September 14, discussing how Europe's financial system could and should be res
The neglected side of banking union
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations: What to expect by 2014?
Youth unemployment: It’s growth, stupid!
European leaders are rightly concerned about the record level of youth unemployment in the EU. Unfortunately simply targeting measures at young people
Abenomics: the implications for Europe
For two decades the Japanese economy has been mired in deflation and stagnant nominal GDP. Real GDP and per capita GDP have grown a bit but only thank
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Initiative: Hope or Hype?
The decision to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade area between the EU and the US, called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnershi
EU-IMF assistance to euro area countries: an early assessment
This study provides an early evaluation of the assistance programmes implemented by the Troika in Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The study assesses the
Free trade agreements for the 21st century
The Euro Area: Great Recession or Great Depression?
The Great Depression was a period of severe economic contraction that lasted many years. In the United States real GDP fell every year from 1929 to 19
Chart of the week: fiscal deficits in the euro area under the new forecast
The 2012 Autumn Economic Forecast of the European Commission confirms the Spring Forecast expectation that several euro area countries, including Fran
Wir brauchen Licht am Ende des Tunnels
Fiscal rules: Timing is everything
Fiscal rules: Timing is everything
The strengthening of the European Union’s fiscal rules with the approval of the so-called ‘six-pack’, and the parallel worsening of economic condition
Andre Sapir on the ECB's bond buying plans
The SMP is dead. Long live the OMT
Following the various announcements of President Draghi in July and August, most analysts were expecting further clarification of the modalities of th
Chart of the week: the fiscal stance in the euro area
The size of the deficit reduction mandated by European fiscal rules for euro area countries currently under excessive deficit procedure will be on ave
What kind of European banking union?
This policy contribution discusses in detail how a future banking union could be organised by examining seven fundamental choices that decision makers
EU - euro area governance – a messy rebuilding
The great Franco-German divide
Can the G20 save globalisation?
The messy rebuilding of Europe
The euro crisis and subsequent policy responses have challenged the assumptions underpinning the euro-area's governance, and the relationship bet