Global economy and trade policy
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 evolution of EU-China relations
A glimpse into the evolving landscape of Europe's engagement with China.
China Economic Database
Repository of what we consider to be the most relevant macroeconomic data for China and EU-China relations.
Third time lucky? China’s push to internationalise the renminbi
This paper analyses China’s different attempts to internationalise its currency and how they have fared.
Russian foreign trade tracker
De-risking and decarbonising: a green tech partnership to reduce reliance on China
Greater alignment of the major economic powers is needed around a collective effort to improve security of supply for decarbonisation goods.
Understanding local government debt in China
How can China navigate the country towards a more sustainable and balanced economic future?
China’s position on Israel leading to a cold war
The most far-reaching ramification of recent events is the inexorable advance of a world splitting into two poles.
The state of play in EU-LATAM trade
Are we seeing a fatigue of ‘The Brussels Effect’?
¿Qué precio pagará Italia por abandonar la Ruta de la Seda?
Working paper
12 September 2023
European Union debt financing: leeway and barriers from a legal perspective
The paper investigates the legal feasibility of the EU borrowing on the capital market to finance European public goods.
Policy brief
06 September 2023
A new governance framework to safeguard the European Green Deal
This policy brief sets out policy proposals to enhance governance in order to safeguard EU decarbonisation.
Analysis
06 September 2023
The Digital Markets Act is about enabling rights, not obliging changes in market conditions
Compliance with the DMA will be about ensuring that users are empowered with rights to challenge gatekeepers
Policy brief
04 September 2023
Making sense of the European Commission’s fiscal governance reform plan
This Policy Brief offers proposals to enhance institutional self-commitment to implementation, with reputational consequences for non-implementation.
Analysis
20 July 2023
The Russian war economy: macroeconomic performance
The Russian economy has performed better than many expected since the war in Ukraine started, though the financial burden will be felt for some time.
Analysis
19 July 2023
Adapting the European Union AI Act to deal with generative artificial intelligence
The European Union’s draft AI Act already needs to be revised to account for the opportunities and harms of generative AI.
Analysis
18 July 2023
How Ukrainian gas storage can contribute to Europe’s security of supply
To top up stored gas volumes for the coming winter, Europe can use spare capacity in Ukraine.
Working paper
18 July 2023
Competition in generative artificial intelligence foundation models
This working paper examines how competition in foundation models (FMs) works.
Working paper
17 July 2023
Analysis
12 July 2023
The oil price cap and embargo on Russia work imperfectly, and defects must be fixed
Violations of the G7 price cap on Russian oil are becoming evident, but Western countries still can tighten rules and reduce the cash flows to Russia.
Working paper
11 July 2023
The Ukrainian war economy
This paper analyses Ukraine’s war economy management and performance, according to information available in June 2023.
Working paper
10 July 2023
Section 232 reloaded: the false promise of the transatlantic ‘climate club’ for steel and aluminium
This paper sets out the EU and US perspectives on the ongoing negotiations and evaluates their initial negotiation proposals.
Working paper
06 July 2023
What should be done about Google’s quasi-monopoly in search? Mandatory data sharing versus AI-driven technological competition
This paper explores the crucial role of search engines in modern digital economies and their impact on user welfare.
Analysis
05 July 2023
Can Europe make its space launch industry competitive?
Europe is falling behind in the global commercial space launch sector; a new programme may not be enough to fix the shortcomings
Book
03 July 2023
Sparking Europe’s new industrial revolution: A policy for net zero, growth and resilience
This book assesses what must be done to implement industrial policy in a way that will achieve overarching goals while minimising distortions.
Working paper
29 June 2023
What would Europeans want a European defence union to look like?
This working paper explores public support for European defence union, revealing preferred policy features and the impact of political feasibility.