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?
Blog post
31 January 2023
Web3: the next internet revolution
Tokenisation based on blockchain technology could bring radical changes to markets for goods and services.
Blog post
23 January 2023
Has the Digital Markets Act got it wrong on app stores?
The app-store obligations in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act are unlikely to weaken the market power of Apple and Google.
Working paper
23 January 2023
The hidden inequalities of digitalisation in the post-pandemic context
Digital automation has affected working conditions quite broadly, beyond job loss, in several other important ways.
Blog post
16 January 2023
Understanding barriers and resistance to training in the European Union
People with less education are also less able and willing to participate in training; understanding why is essential to prevent a widening skill gap.
Working paper
09 January 2023
Pro- and anti-competitive provisions in the proposed European Union Data Act
This paper explores several pro- and anti-competitive provisions included the proposed EU Data Act.
Policy brief
22 December 2022
Don’t look only to Brussels to increase the supply of safe assets in the European Union
A sufficient supply of safe assets denominated in euros is critical if the European Union is to achieve a full banking and capital markets union.
Working paper
20 December 2022
The impact of the Ukraine crisis on international trade
The direct aim of trade sanctions seems to have been achieved, while Russia’s capacity to finance the war from fossil fuel revenues is bound to shrink
Blog post
20 December 2022
If it doesn’t trade, is it really marketable debt?
Europe’s bond markets are essential infrastructure, just like the power grid.
Blog post
14 December 2022
How to fix the European Union’s proposed Data Act
The proposed EU Data Act on industrial and non-personal data should be simpler and clearer, or the benefits could be limited.
Policy brief
09 December 2022
Which mergers should the European Commission review under the Digital Markets Act?
This paper assesses which firms are likely to be gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act.
Policy brief
09 December 2022
A European policy mix to address food insecurity linked to Russia’s war
The food crisis creates short-term challenges but also points to systemic issues in the food sector.
Blog post
08 December 2022
Do financial markets consider European common debt a safe asset?
The interest rate on European Union bonds is now almost as high as that of supposedly riskier Spanish bonds; this risks defeating their purpose.
Blog post
07 December 2022
The ‘anywhere’ jobs are not everywhere – they’re in cities
Given new remote working arrangements, online gigs can be completed in the lowest-cost locations; they’re mainly done by workers in large cities.
Blog post
07 December 2022
Will the European Union price cap on Russian oil work?
The G7 Russian oil price cap is an ambitious but untested instrument. While pitfalls exist, the cap has the potential to be the most potent sanction.
Working paper
06 December 2022
You’ll never talk alone: what media narratives on European reforms reveal about a polity in the making
In this paper, we have analysed the coverage of reforms in a European context in the leading business newspapers in the three biggest EU member states
Policy brief
02 December 2022
How to implement the self-preferencing ban in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act
The European Union Digital Markets Act (DMA) bans large online platforms under its scope from treating their own products more favourably than rivals.