COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Econographics deep dives

Special sections that go inside the Chinese economy, the evolution of sanctions, and the future of money.

 

Sinographs

In-depth analysis of economic and financial trends in the Chinese economy.

Fintech frontlines

Research and analysis on the intersection of technology and policy developments in finance.

Global sanctions dashboard

Monthly analysis of global sanctions regimes—highlighting new listings, delistings, and the motivations behind these changes.

Featured analysis

How secure is Social Security?

Econographics Feb 10, 2026

China’s warning on US Treasuries—and why its timing matters

By Jeremy Mark, Josh Lipsky

Beijing has joined the conversation on the dollar. It was leaked this week that Chinese regulators have been urging domestic financial institutions to cut back on US Treasuries, and this timing is no coincidence.
China Dollar Dominance
How secure is Social Security?

Econographics Feb 4, 2026

Understanding the vibe shift on the dollar

By Daniel McDowell, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Gold prices surged to record highs last week, driven by trade tensions, tariffs, and dollar uncertainty. For some, the rally signals rising skepticism about the greenback’s stability—even as policymakers insist the US remains committed to a strong dollar.
Dollar Dominance Economy & Business
How secure is Social Security?

Econographics Jan 22, 2026

When will Wall Street’s tolerance for uncertainty run out?

By Jessie Yin, Josh Lipsky

In a decade of geoeconomic shocks, few events have truly shaken investor confidence. But Wall Street may be too complacent to political volatility.
Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Latest analysis

Dedollorization and RMB internationalization

Econographics

Jan 22, 2024

Dedollarization is not just geopolitics, economic fundamentals matter

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Niels Graham</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Tobias Adrian</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Jeremy Mark</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Alex Mills</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Josh Lipsky</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Sophia Busch</span>

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 <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Elmar Hellendoorn</span>

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.

European Union Eurozone
Ships on Red Sea

Econographics

Dec 18, 2023

What attacks in the Red Sea could mean for the global economy

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

Recent missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated regional tensions and disrupted global trade. Large shipping companies are now avoiding the route, causing significant costs and delays, which is impacting the the already fragile economy.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Dec 11, 2023

China’s manufacturing overcapacity threatens global green goods trade

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Niels Graham</span>

Chinese lending is exacerbating a growing glut in its green manufacturing sector. Beijing is increasingly looking abroad to absorb excess capacity. This may have devastating effects for the global trading system as economies move to protect their own domestic industry.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Dec 7, 2023

Germany’s debt brake isn’t working

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

Germany’s coalition government was dealt a fiscal crisis when the country’s Constitutional Court ruled that repurposing €60 billion of unspent money from the pandemic emergency support facility to the Climate and Transformation Fund was unconstitutional.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Dec 1, 2023

Financialization has increased economic fragility

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

Since the 1980s, financial activities and assets have played an increasingly dominant role in the global economy. At the same time, underlying economic activity as measured by global GDP has been growing more slowly. The result has been an ever-larger gap between the volume and value of financial activity relative to the real economy. And […]

Financial Regulation Macroeconomics
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Content

Econographics

Jan 5, 2022

How secure is Social Security?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou</span>

The Social Security System is estimated to run out of reserves in just 12 years. However, reform is possible and through a combination of tax increases and retirement changes, Social Security can regain solvency

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

EconoGraphics

Dec 16, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Holiday edition

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI</span>

Coordinated actions against Belarus and global human rights abusers, sanctions on African states, and anti-kleptocracy reform.

Africa Belarus

Econographics

Dec 3, 2021

The RCEP ratification and its implications

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Niels Graham</span>

On January 1, 2022 the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement will go into effect. When it enters into force, the partnership will be doubly historic: it will be both China’s first multilateral trade agreement and the world’s largest free trade agreement.

China Economy & Business

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Nov 19, 2021

AC GeoEcon Explores the Sanctions Response to the Belarus-Poland Border Face-Off

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Daniel Fried</span>, <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Hagar Hajjar Chemali</span>

Distinguished Fellow and former State Dept. Sanctions Coordinator Ambassador Daniel Fried participated in a discussion with Hagar Chemali, Senior Fellow and host of Oh My World, about the state of sanctions from the US & EU toward Belarus in light of the migrant crisis on Poland’s border

European Union Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Nov 2, 2021

Goodbye for now, 232: Breaking down the G20 US-EU agreement on steel and aluminum

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Julia Friedlander</span>, <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Clete R. Willems</span>

During the G20 summit the US and EU announced an agreement over steel and aluminum tariffs. Julia Friedlander and Non-resident senior fellow Clete Williams react to its implications.

European Union Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Oct 29, 2021

G20 Balance Sheet

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >GeoEconomics team</span>

Asset purchases by the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and the Bank of Japan, are driving most of the more than $17 trillion increase in the “G20 balance sheet”.

Inclusive Growth International Financial Institutions

EconoGraphics

Oct 29, 2021

G20 risks becoming G7 + G13

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Mrugank Bhusari</span>, <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Niels Graham</span>

This year's Summit priorities of people, planet, and prosperity seem to have forgotten another P -- pandemic -- that most of the world is still dealing with.

Economy & Business G20

EconoGraphics

Oct 22, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Halloween edition

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI</span>

US’s evolving approach to cryptocurrencies, Pandora Papers; sanctions against Iran, Myanmar, and Russian authorities in Crimea.

Belarus China

EconoGraphics

Sep 17, 2021

Global Sanctions Dashboard: Summer edition

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI</span>

Current state of sanctions against the Taliban, China’s use of its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, and combating corruption through sanctions.

Afghanistan Belarus

EconoGraphics

Sep 7, 2021

ASEAN’s COVID spike

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Niels Graham</span>

Since April, Asia has experienced a wave of COVID suppressing growth throughout the region. The key question to watch is: will supply chain contagion once again follow the virus west?

East Asia Macroeconomics
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