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
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.
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.