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
26 September 2022
Do LGBTQIA+ people face EU labour market discrimination?
Labour-market data on LGBTQIA+ people is limited, but there is some evidence that those in same-sex partnerships experience discrimination.
Policy brief
22 September 2022
Enlarging and deepening: giving substance to the European Political Community
The EPC would not be, and should not be, regarded as a substitute for EU accession, but should be designed to work as an accelerator.
Working paper
22 September 2022
Risks to job quality from digital technologies: are industrial relations in Europe ready for the challenge?
The paper extends the debate about the future of work beyond employment and pay, to a consideration of job quality more broadly.
Blog post
22 September 2022
Tackling inflation: learning from the European Central Bank's six lapses
While mistakes unduly constrained rate hikes, gradual tightening is the right approach along with a new instrument to address energy bottlenecks.
Blog post
15 September 2022
Shinzo Abe’s economic legacy: a glass half full
Abenomics has fallen short in many ways, but Japan has still largely coped with an aging society while maintaining a high level of income equality.
Blog post
12 September 2022
Cross-border telework in the EU: fab or fad?
Europe should investigate the possibility of ‘digital frontier worker’ status for cross-border remote workers.
Blog post
12 September 2022
How effective has the pandemic emergency purchase programme been in ensuring debt sustainability?
The ECB’s pandemic emergency purchase programme has improved substantially the debt dynamics of euro-area countries, with durable effects.
Blog post
08 September 2022
Russia’s huge trade surplus is not a sign of economic strength
Russia has recorded a record trade surplus, but more than half of its increase is due to the collapse of imports.
Policy brief
06 September 2022
A grand bargain to steer through the European Union’s energy crisis
The current crisis looks set to leave behind it a radically different system, but what that system will look like remains an open question
Working paper
30 August 2022
A gender perspective on artificial intelligence and jobs: The vicious cycle of digital inequality
How do gender stereotypes and gendered work segregation, and digitalisation and automation, result in a vicious cycle of digital gender inequality?
Working paper
26 July 2022
The impact of artificial intelligence on the nature and quality of jobs
Policymakers should strengthen the role of social partners in the adoption of AI technology to protect workers’ bargaining power.
Blog post
20 July 2022
Closing the gender gap for self-employed women in the European Union
Self-employed women are at a wealth disadvantage, according to ECB household finance data, and thus have more to gain from policies that spur saving.
Working paper
19 July 2022
COVID-19 in the European Union: health impacts and effects on economic activity
What matters when it comes to managing the pandemic is to prevent intensive-care admissions and deaths arising from COVID-19.
Blog post
18 July 2022
What role for China in the global refining crunch?
Despite high prices, China’s substantial spare oil refining capacity remains restricted.
Blog post
13 July 2022
A possible G7 price cap on Russian oil: issues at stake
A price cap on Russian oil might improve the current western sanctions regime, but effectiveness will depend on the west’s willingness
Blog post
13 July 2022
Can working solo be good for entrepreneurs?
The self-employed are a diverse group, but they can help us better understand the drivers of well-being at work and help design better policies.