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 tales of the future
How science fiction is shaping China’s economics, politics and society.
The European Renewal: Making the most of pandemic recovery
COVID-19 remains dangerous, but if Europe can continue its unprecedented fiscal co-operation the crisis could give way to a new era of prosperity.
EU Enlargement in a New Light
A collection of articles compiled following a joint Bruegel-Intereconomics event on EU enlargment.
Euro-dollar parity: beyond symbolism
Lack of certainty that the euro will stay prevents it from a greater international role. Until addressed, the dollar will continue to be hegemon.
What role for China in the global refining crunch?
Despite high prices, China’s substantial spare oil refining capacity remains restricted.
Revisiting Europe’s energy independence
Challenges of an energy independent Europe.
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
Ukraine and Taiwan on the Biden-Xi chessboard
Overall, Biden and Xi seem to be converging on their strategies for global dominance
A decade of economic policy
Guntram Wolff looks back at the past decade of Bruegel contribution to economic policy in Europe.
Policy brief
24 September 2019
The European Union-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement: Prospects and risks
After nearly 20 years of on-off negotiations, the European Union and Mercosur – a customs union covering Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – in
Working paper
17 September 2019
EU trade policy amid the China-US clash: caught in the crossfire?
What risks face the EU with regard to China’s strategic aims in trade policy and how can the EU respond? The US effort to isolate China poses particul
Policy brief
12 September 2019
Hybrid and cybersecurity threats and the European Union’s financial system
The authors document the rise in hybrid threats and cyber attacks in the European Union. Exploring preparations to increase the resilience of the fina
Policy brief
11 September 2019
Collective action in a fragmented world
International collective action is in search of a new paradigm. It cannot rely anymore on global binding rules supported by universal institutions. Ne
Book
03 September 2019
Braver, greener, fairer: Memos to the EU leadership 2019-2024
This collected volume, edited by Maria Demertzis and Guntram Wolff, focusing on the most important economic questions at EU level. The memos covering
Book
09 July 2019
Digitalisation and European welfare states
EU policymakers must find answers to pressing questions: if technology has a negative impact on labour income, how will the welfare state be funded? H
Policy brief
08 July 2019
The European Union energy transition: key priorities for the next five years
The new members of the European Parliament and European Commission who start their mandates in 2019 should put in place major policy elements to unlea
Policy brief
04 July 2019
The threats to the European Union’s economic sovereignty
Memo to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The authors describe the current context and the increasing inte
Policy brief
03 July 2019
Preparing for uncertainty
Memo to the president of the European Central Bank. Grégory Claeys, Maria Demertzis and Francesco Papadia present the challenges that the next ECB pre
Policy brief
24 June 2019
Redefining Europe’s economic sovereignty
This Policy Contribution delves into the position of the EU in the current global order. China and the United States increasingly trying to gain geopo
Policy brief
13 June 2019
A strategic agenda for the new EU leadership
Memo to the presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament. 'A strategic agenda for the new EU leadership' by Maria Demertzis, André Sa
Working paper
12 June 2019
China and the world trade organisation: towards a better fit
China’s participation in the WTO has been anything but smooth, as its self-proclaimed socialist market economy system has alienated its trading partne
Policy brief
22 May 2019
How to improve European Union cohesion policy for the next decade
This policy contribution investigates the performance of the design, implementation and effectiveness of cohesion policy, the most evaluated EU tool f
Working paper
07 May 2019
Estimating the cost of capital for wind energy investments in Turkey
Wind power represents a key component of Turkey’s national energy strategy. Based on data collected on 138 installations in the country, this paper pr
Working paper
25 April 2019
What drives national implementation of EU policy recommendations?
The authors use a newly-compiled dataset to investigate whether and why European Union countries implement the economic policy recommendations they re
Working paper
08 April 2019
Europe in the midst of China-US strategic competition: What are the European Union's options?
With the trade conflict between the United States and China bringing China-US strategic competition into the open, the European Union faces an urgent