Global economy and trade
Explore recurring issues in Europe’s relationship with its extended neighbourhood, and economic relations with China, India and the rest of the world.
The global economy in continues to be affected by the pandemic. However, it is also marked by major geopolitical developments, from President Biden’s inauguration and a revival of the transatlantic relationship, to the continued rivalry with China, with the EU caught in-between these global trends.
Bruegel’s scholars cover the European Union’s increasing assertiveness towards neighbours over the past year, including the external repercussions of the European Green Deal, managing a crisis at its borders, building a future relationship with a former member, strengthening the international role of the euro and tackling a resurgent China.
Recently published and updated
The Belt and Road Initiative 2.0 is all about security
How the Belt and Road Initiative has transformed into a geopolitical tool for China.
Is Europe failing on import diversification?
Despite a goal of economic self-reliance, the European Union’s imports are generally sourced from an increasingly limited set of suppliers.
What China’s reopening will mean for the global economy
A timely discussion about the reopening of China after the zero-Covid policy and its implications on the global economy
How should Europe react to the Inflation Reduction Act?
A deep dive into the IRA and its expected impact on the world trade system.
Climate versus trade? Reconciling international subsidy rules with industrial decarbonisation
Environmental subsidies could be justified when emissions taxation is not feasible or is insufficient due to political economy constraints.
Is deglobalisation already happening?
Is the world witnessing a shift away from Hyper-globalisation to Deglobalisation?
The boom, bust and future of China's real estate sector
Is China’s real estate market sustainable?
Global and regional Gini coefficients
Analysis
23 March 2023
The ripple effect of financial education
A financial literacy course for university students in Cyprus also improved the financial knowledge of their parents.
Policy brief
23 March 2023
The potential of sovereign sustainability-linked bonds in the drive for net-zero
Sovereign SLBs could help incentivise climate policies in EU countries, and accelerate emission reductions.
Analysis
23 March 2023
How much will the EU pay Russia for fossil fuels over the next 12 months?
With sanctions incomplete, the European Union could pay Russia about €30 billion for fossil fuels in the next year.
Working paper
16 March 2023
Artificial intelligence adoption in the public sector: a case study
This case study illustrates the drivers of and barriers to AI adoption by organisations, and acceptance of AI by workers in the public sector.
Policy brief
16 March 2023
Phased European Union electricity market reform
In this paper, we set out a framework for evaluating the many interrelated issues in the current EU electricity market reform.
Book
14 March 2023
The future of work: a transatlantic perspective on challenges and opportunities
A compilation of research outputs from the transatlantic expert group project, in e-book format.
Analysis
14 March 2023
Collective bargaining is associated with lower income inequality
There is a negative correlation between collective bargaining coverage and inequality, but more research is needed to understand why.
Analysis
14 March 2023
A high-level view of the impact of AI on the workforce
A transatlantic study makes the right recommendations on artificial intelligence in the workplace, but work is needed to turn these into practice.
Analysis
09 March 2023
Artificial intelligence: how to get the most from the labour-productivity boost
Artificial intelligence should boost productivity over time. The boost can happen sooner, and last longer, with the right policies.
Analysis
09 March 2023
Two crises, two continents: how the labour-market impacts have differed
The US economy was more resilient against the two recent global crises, while the EU did better in terms of jobs during and after the pandemic.
Blog post
02 March 2023
The fiscal side of Europe’s energy crisis: the facts, problems and prospects
Europe needs to move beyond emergency fiscal responses and focus on structural changes to allow the EU to accelerate its decoupling from fossil fuels.
Policy brief
27 February 2023
A model for a participative approach to digital competition regulation
The participative approach aims to involve regulated firms, stakeholders and regulators in the design of compliance measures
Policy brief
23 February 2023
How Europe should answer the US Inflation Reduction Act
This policy brief explains what is in the IRA, the impact on the EU and other economies, and how the EU should react.
Blog post
20 February 2023
Is Europe failing on import diversification?
Despite a goal of economic self-reliance, the European Union’s imports are generally sourced from an increasingly limited set of suppliers.
Blog post
20 February 2023
The difficulty of designating gatekeepers under the EU Digital Markets Act
The European Commission should be more precise and transparent when designating gatekeepers under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Book
14 February 2023
A limping transition: the former Soviet Union thirty years on
The purpose of this essay is to assess where FSU countries are 30 years after the break up of the USSR in terms of their economic and political system