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
04 April 2019
Promoting sustainable and inclusive growth and convergence in the European Union
This Policy Contribution was written for the Informal ECOFIN Meeting, Bucharest, 5 April 2019. The authors look at the EU’s economic agenda, discussin
Policy brief
27 March 2019
How to make crowdfunding work in Europe
Crowdfunding markets around the world have experienced significant growth rates in recent years, but many questions remain open on their proper design
Policy brief
14 March 2019
The European Union’s response to the trade crisis
The global trading system is under attack on various fronts. In this Policy Contribution, the authors examine the root causes of the current problems,
Working paper
19 February 2019
Greening monetary policy
The author proposes a tilting approach to steer the allocation of the Eurosystem’s assets and collateral towards low-carbon sectors, which would reduc
Policy brief
07 February 2019
Russia's growth problem
After the 2014-2016 currency crisis, Russia’s economy has returned to growth, albeit at a slow pace. In this Policy Contribution, the authors analyse
Working paper
06 February 2019
Countries’ perceptions of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A big data analysis
Drawing on a global database of media articles, the authors quantitatively assess perceptions of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in different c
Policy brief
17 January 2019
Equity finance and capital market integration in Europe
Facilitating the financing of European companies through external equity is a central ambition of European Union financial regulation, including in th
Policy brief
14 January 2019
The implications of no-deal Brexit: is the European Union prepared?
The author, based on a note written for the Bundestag EU Committee, is exploring the possible consequences of a no-deal Brexit for the EU, assessing p
Policy brief
10 January 2019
The Belt and Road turns five
Five years after its launch, Michael Baltensperger and Uri Dadush reflect on China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The plan to revive ancient trade routes
Policy brief
20 December 2018
Is the European automotive industry ready for the global electric vehicle revolution?
This Policy Contribution investigates the position of the European automotive industry in a scenario in which electrification substantially progresses
Policy brief
18 December 2018
The euro as an international currency
Is a more important international role for the euro worth pursuing? What measures would achieve this result, if it is worth pursuing?
Policy brief
13 December 2018
Forecast errors and monetary policy normalisation in the euro area
What did we learn from the recent monetary policy normalisation experiences of Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom? Zsolt Darvas consider
Policy brief
28 November 2018
Sustainable investing: How to do it
Sustainable investment is gaining momentum in Europe, but its current proposed taxonomy might hinder innovation in the field. In this Policy Contribut
Policy brief
26 November 2018
Assessing the European Union’s North Africa trade agreements
In this Policy Contribution, the authors provide an economic assessment of the trade agreements between the EU and North Africa. They argue that the c
Policy brief
22 November 2018
A monetary policy framework for the European Central Bank to deal with uncertainty
In this Policy Contribution prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) as an input to the Monetary Dialo
Policy brief
15 November 2018
The G20 turns ten: what’s past is prologue
This Policy Contribution assesses the performance of the G20 since its first summit held in November 2008 to understand what could lie ahead for the i