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
China’s currency slide adds to its economic headaches
Assessing the State of the Union 2023
In this episode, we look at the 2023 State of the Union address delivered by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
As China’s Economy Drags, the Rest of Asia Offers Hope
What to expect from the BRICS expansion
The evolution of the grouping alongside the changing dynamics of political economy.
The story of China’s electric vehicle industry
China's EV industry is not just about rapid growth and success; it involves intricate geopolitical dynamics that could put its success at risk.
China Economic Database
Repository of what we consider to be the most relevant macroeconomic data for China and EU-China relations.
Russian foreign trade tracker
The dangerous link between China’s real estate demise, the economy and the financial system
China’s property sector is plunging further into a crisis that could have major ramifications on the country’s real economy and financial sector.
Upcoming events
Going for Growth: creating the conditions for a decisive transition
Launch of the OECD Going for Growth flagship publication
Analysis
09 May 2023
The problem with preferential trade agreements
Preferential agreements can be an alternative to a sclerotic WTO, but, if multilateral rules fail, they also risk conflict between trading blocs
Analysis
04 May 2023
Fiscal rule legislative proposal: what has changed, what has not, what is unclear?
The proposed new fiscal rules constitute a major improvement from the current fiscal framework but missed an opportunity to foster green investment.
Analysis
03 May 2023
What really influences United Nations voting on Ukraine?
Speculation has been triggered about new alliances emerging in the Global South, inspired by China and India's voting behaviour.
Analysis
03 May 2023
Europe’s digital competition law can give users more effective control of their data
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act gives regulatory authorities another chance to tackle the difficult issue of user consent for data processing
Analysis
02 May 2023
Sanctions against Russia will worsen its already poor economic prospects
Sanctions, coming on top of longstanding domestic shortcomings, are gradually weakening Russia.
Policy brief
27 April 2023
The longer-term fiscal challenges facing the European Union
Since 2020, the European Union has suffered two large shocks, which have created new fiscal challenges for the EU.
Working paper
25 April 2023
Global trends in countries‘ perceptions of the Belt and Road Initiative
In this paper, we have analysed the sentiment towards the Belt and Road Initiative in the world using a large open-access dataset, namely GDELT.
Analysis
18 April 2023
Fixing Germany’s fixes of the European Commission’s fiscal governance proposal
Germany has valid concerns about Commission’s plan for reforming the fiscal rules. But there are better ways to address them.
Analysis
12 April 2023
Mobilising transition finance will require credible corporate climate plans
Many jurisdictions now require companies to demonstrate ‘climate alignment’; investors need tools to evaluate whether transition plans are credible
Analysis
06 April 2023
China’s 2023 work report and what it means: an AI post-mortem
China is taking a more nuanced approach to the overarching goal of GDP growth.
Analysis
06 April 2023
The EU Recovery and Resilience Facility falls short against performance-based funding standards
The rules and guidance underpinning EU economic recovery funds seek inputs and outputs, not results; this has led to uneven use of results indicators
Analysis
05 April 2023
Why Europe’s critical raw materials strategy has to be international
In ensuring supplies of critical raw materials, the European Union cannot rely on domestic measures alone.
Policy brief
05 April 2023
Decentralised finance: good technology, bad finance
Given the importance of digitalisation, it is fair to ask whether these digital decentralised services will become established and normalised.
Policy brief
28 March 2023
Will China’s new financial regulatory reform be enough to meet the challenges?
This paper aims to inform the discussion in relation to China with accounts of experiences in large and complex financial sectors.
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.