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?
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.
Essay
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
Blog post
09 February 2023
Europe’s half a million barrels per day diesel supply question
A new European Union embargo on Russian oil products should not affect EU diesel supplies and prices, but could encourage re-routing by Russia.
Policy brief
08 February 2023
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.
Policy brief
06 February 2023
How best to ensure international digital competition cooperation
International cooperation on digital markets must ensure competition cases and laws around the world are consistent.
Policy brief
02 February 2023
Preparing for the next winter: Europe’s gas outlook for 2023
We explore in detail the two pillars of energy security: LNG supply and the nature and volume of natural-gas demand reductions.