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Econographics

Sep 12, 2024

It’s not too early to start grading Jerome Powell’s historic tenure

By Josh Lipsky and Benjamin Lenain

Jerome Powell’s legacy hinges on his bold monetary actions during crises and how effectively these interventions will be unwound in the future.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Sep 6, 2024

The problems with the IMF surcharge system

By Hung Tran

The IMF’s surcharge system is doing more harm than good for borrowing countries and its justifications are facing new questions.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Aug 27, 2024

Going for gold: Does the dollar’s declining share in global reserves matter?

By Hung Tran

If gold—which has recently experienced a surge in purchases by many global central banks—is included in reserve asset portfolios, the share of the US dollar is smaller than what the IMF has highlighted.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Sinographs

Aug 22, 2024

Why the next trade war with China may look very different from the last one

By Mrugank Bhusari

Far more countries share concerns over the impact of an expansion of Chinese exports. This time, they will likely target finished consumer goods over intermediary inputs.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 14, 2024

Get ready for a volatile fall in the financial markets—but not necessarily a downturn

By Josh Lipsky, Alisha Chhangani

Between an election, the threat of conflict, and a slowing economy, there is likely to be more volatility in the months ahead. But volatility doesn’t mean a downturn—it just means there’s more uncertainty than usual. 

Economy & Business International Markets

Fintech Frontlines

Aug 12, 2024

Tech regulation requires balancing security, privacy, and usability 

By Karen Sowon, Giulia Fanti, JP Schnapper-Casteras

Good policy intentions can lead to unintended consequences when usability, privacy, and security are not balanced—policymakers must think like product designers to avoid these challenges.

Digital Policy East Africa

Econographics

Aug 8, 2024

What exactly is a strategic bitcoin reserve?

By Ananya Kumar

Bringing bitcoin into mainstream use is not reason enough to create a strategic bitcoin reserve. 

Digital Currencies Economy & Business
French National Assembly with Olympic statues

Econographics

Jul 26, 2024

What French economic policy may look like after the Olympics

By Charles Lichfield and Gustavo Romero

The snap parliamentary election in France produced no absolute majority, and negotiations on government formation have begun. As Macron’s centrists attempt to construct a broad coalition, what economic policies can they suggest to bring the center-left and center-right onside?

Economy & Business Elections

Sinographs

Jul 23, 2024

Key takeaways from China’s Third Plenum 2024

By Hung Tran

The communiqué of the Third Plenum of the CCP Central Committee lacks major policy initiatives to address the country’s near-term growth challenges.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 18, 2024

The Bretton Woods institutions need revitalizing. Luckily, they are no strangers to reform.

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The changing nature of the global economy is forcing these institutions to take a renewed look at their governance structure and mandates. This is not the first time they have had to do so.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Content

Grain market in Africa with sellers

Econographics

Feb 1, 2024

Why 2024 will be a big year for positive economic statecraft

By Nicole Goldin

As geopolitics cast a shadow on the global economy, leaders are looking to build resilience, advance inclusive growth, and promote stability and security. Three January events already showcase that these positive economic statecraft (PES) approaches are clearly in effect this year.

Fiscal and Structural Reform Inclusive Growth

Econographics

Feb 1, 2024

Is China decelerating or recovering?

By Daniel Rosen

Rhodium Group predicts a modest recovery for China in 2024, a contrast to previous deceleration, contingent on Beijing's structural reforms and credible policy shifts.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Jan 25, 2024

Expect Chinese economic retaliation against Taiwan after the DPP’s presidential victory

By Hung Tran

Economic coercion will allow China to increase pressure on Taiwan without directly confronting the US and leave significant leeway to calibrate trade measures.

China Economic Sanctions
Mumbai economy with skyscrapers in the distance

Econographics

Jan 24, 2024

The advanced consumer economy driving India’s ascent

By Josh Lipsky, Sophia Busch

By 2030, India could become the world's third-largest economy. Here's how the rise of powerful consumers within the country is creating a massive new domestic and international market.

India International Markets
Dedollorization and RMB internationalization

Econographics

Jan 22, 2024

Dedollarization is not just geopolitics, economic fundamentals matter

By Niels Graham, Hung Tran

Geopolitical explanations have dominated recent analysis on dedollorization. While it is certainly a key factor, macroeconomics matter as well. US interest rates and a rising dollar are encouraging other countries to search for alternatives.

Brazil China

Econographics

Jan 19, 2024

The IMF’s perspective on CBDCs

By Tobias Adrian

Tobias Adrian outlines the IMF's view on CBDCs' potential for payment systems, financial inclusion, and cross-border payments, emphasizing innovation and collaboration for effective implementation.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
China, In the center of the capital in a new commercial building construction

Econographics

Jan 10, 2024

China’s local government debts are coming due

By Jeremy Mark

China's economic slowdown brings local government debts into sharp focus, threatening infrastructure and social services.

China Economy & Business
The view of boats on the red Sea.

Econographics

Jan 8, 2024

The long shadow of the Red Sea shipping disruption

By Alex Mills

Recent attacks on shipping moving through the red sea have exposed broader risks around international maritime commerce. Policy makers must use this wake-up call to build a more resilient international shipping ecosystem.

East Africa Economy & Business

Econographics

Jan 3, 2024

Five under-the-radar economic trends that could define 2024

By Josh Lipsky, Sophia Busch

We picked five under-the-radar trends that will matter for the global economy in 2024. Each shows the potential weak spots in the global economy alongside the forces that could stabilize growth.

China Economy & Business
Building with EU flags

Econographics

Dec 19, 2023

Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

By Elmar Hellendoorn

The EU’s Strategy on Economic Security, published this summer, was the first official effort to present a more coherent view on the European policy approach at the intersection of economics and geopolitics. In the end, however, the EU's approach to economic security can only be successful if it is tied to Europe's long-term political objectives.

Economic Sanctions European Union