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

US States’ Covid-19 Response – Short-Term Pain = Long-Term Gain?

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
US States’ Covid-19 Response – Short-Term Pain = Long-Term Gain?

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
US States’ Covid-19 Response – Short-Term Pain = Long-Term Gain?

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

Econographics

May 7, 2024

The Enrico Letta Report and the state of the EU’s Capital Market Union

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

The Letta report emphasizes transforming the EU's fragmented markets by prioritizing harmonization over new financial products, but achieving this requires a significant and sustained effort.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Central bank building with gate

Econographics

May 2, 2024

Understanding the plan to create a $50 billion Ukraine bond from Russia’s blocked assets

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Charles Lichfield</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Mrugank Bhusari</span>

The United States is pushing the G7 to consider a sovereign loan of $50 billion to Ukraine which would be repaid using the interest income on blocked Russian assets. Where does this $50 billion figure come from?

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

Econographics

May 1, 2024

How to improve the technical skill of the US national security workforce

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Lesley Chavkin, Eitan Danon, and Sigal Mandelker</span>

We cannot expect to compete on the world stage without equipping the US civil service with the skills and experience needed to understand and harness the technological trends that will define the future. But if we want our best and brightest—our most ambitious and innovative—women and men to pursue federal service, we have to do a better job of proactively making the case why.

Economy & Business United States and Canada

Econographics

Apr 30, 2024

The yen’s travails in an era of geopolitical rivalry

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

In an era marked by geopolitical tensions, the yen's depreciation underscores the broader economic fallout from a persistently strong dollar and rising US interest rates.

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific
Factory under construction

Econographics

Apr 29, 2024

The IMF warms to industrial policy—but with caveats

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Walter Frick</span>

Industrial policy is making a comeback around the world. There’s no better sign of this than the new attention paid to subsidies by bastions of the Washington consensus like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has historically been very skeptical of them.

Fiscal and Structural Reform International Financial Institutions

Econographics

Apr 25, 2024

The basics of CBDC

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Alisha Chhangani and Leila Hamilton</span>

The race for the future of money is on, so here are the key items to catch you up on what a central bank digital currency is—and what it isn’t.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business
Brazil G20 bilboard

Econographics

Apr 12, 2024

Brazil’s approach to the G20: Leading by example

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

Brazil’s non-aligned, cooperative, and practical approach holds out the promise of a constructive outcome for this year’s G20 meetings—especially if progress is measured by concrete global initiatives.

Brazil G20

Econographics

Apr 9, 2024

Breaking down Janet Yellen’s comments on Chinese overcapacity

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

It is reasonable to criticize and complain to China, but policymakers should remember that an end to overcapacity would mean a major shift in China’s economic model—which is exceedingly unlikely.

China Economy & Business
Bulk carrier ship in river port. Dry cargo grain elevator trade. Agrarian maritime facility. Cargo ship in the sea. Sunset view. factory on the water.

Econographics

Apr 5, 2024

Ukraine’s grain exports are crucial to Africa’s food security

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Yulia Bychkovska</span>

Moscow is trying to increase Africa’s dependence on its imports by blocking the exports of Ukrainian grain. By helping Ukraine sell its grain, the West can offer the African continent an alternative to Russia’s grain and decrease Russia’s profits.

Africa Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Econographics

Mar 28, 2024

Understanding the debate over IMF quota reform

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

The politics and mathematics of reform are tougher than they appear. A simple reform matching quotas to global economic weight will not be welcomed by many countries.

Africa China
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Content

EconoGraphics

May 8, 2020

US States’ Covid-19 Response – Short-Term Pain = Long-Term Gain?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr | Graphics by Nikolai Albishausen and William Bonney</span>

This edition of the EconoGraphic compares Covid-19’s impact with previous economic shocks, presents data on how public health restrictions influenced economic recoveries during the Spanish Flu, and contrasts US states’ reopening decisions with unemployment trends across the country.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

EconoGraphics

Apr 1, 2020

Coronavirus versus financial crisis: US policy responses compared

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr | Graphics by Nikolai Albishausen</span>

A look at the economic harm done so far and contrasts the measures taken by the Federal Reserve (Fed), Congress, and the G20 in response to coronavirus.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

EconoGraphics

Aug 28, 2019

US-EU Auto Tariffs: What’s at Stake?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY MARIANNA ASLUND, NICK BROWN, ANDREW LASCALEIA</span>

Escalating trade tensions between the world’s major economies are widely considered the greatest threat to the global economy’s health. Following the White House’s cancellation of its threatened tariffs on all Mexican imports on June 7, attention swiftly turned back to the brewing US-China trade war. This edition of the EconoGraphic, however, puts the focus on how US tariffs on cars and car parts might disrupt transatlantic trade flow.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Aug 9, 2019

Breaking Down France’s Digital Tax

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >BY ANDREW LASCALEIA, EDITED BY OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY MARIANNA ASLUND AND ANDREW LASCALEIA</span>

In July, France’s parliament ratified a new law to tax big digital tech firms making it the first country to pass a tax law of this manner. Paris’ new tax scheme triggered criticism from the Trump Administration and is further complicating the transatlantic relationship. This edition of the EconoGraphic explains the motivation behind taxing digital technology firms more aggressively, the way that the French tax will work, and the potential impacts and response to the tax.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

EconoGraphics

Jul 23, 2019

My Way or the Huawei: 5G at the Center of US-China Strategic Competition

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY MARIANNA ASLUND, NICK BROWN, ANDREW LASCALEIA</span>

On July 22, President Trump met with a group of major tech CEOs to discuss the easing of some restrictions on US companies supplying high-tech parts to Chinese telecommunications company Huawei. In May, the US Commerce Department banned US companies from selling any products to Huawei. The Chinese company’s position as the world’s leading provider of 5G technology has made it a focal point of the escalating great power competition between China and the United States. This edition of the EconoGraphic explains the US government’s move to blacklist Huawei, outlines the ban’s potential costs, and describes why US allies are conflicted about banning Huawei.

China Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jun 3, 2019

US Cuba policy: EU and Canadian firms to suffer?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >BY OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY SHIQING HUA, FRANCIS AUBEE, AND NICK BROWN</span>

On April 17 2019, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced an important change in the United States’ policy toward Cuba: Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democracy Solidarity Act of 1996 (LIBERTAD Act) would no longer be suspended. As a result of this decision, US claimants can now seek compensation for property confiscated by the Castro government. The move has important implications for US and foreign companies doing business in Cuba. This edition of the EconoGraphic explains the history and purpose of the LIBERTAD Act, evaluates the policy’s potential impact on US allies’ economic interests in Cuba, and highlights its implications for the pressure campaign against the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Cuba Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Apr 29, 2019

Central Bank Independence Under Scrutiny

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr | Graphics by Shiqing Hua and Francis Aubee</span>

On April 26, following stronger than expected US economic growth numbers, the White House’s National Economic Council director, Larry Kudlow, urged the Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut interest rates by 50 basis points.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2019

A Breakdown of the Sanctions Deal between the United States and Oleg Deripaska

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr | Graphics by Shiqing Hua and Zachary Coles</span>

On January 16, a US Senate resolution to maintain US sanctions on the Russian aluminum giant RUSAL and its holding company EN+ failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to pass. As a result, the Trump administration lifted its economic sanctions on RUSAL and EN+ on January 27.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Blogs

Dec 21, 2018

Economic Outlook for 2019

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Global Business & Economics Program</span>

December 2018 is set to become the worst year-end finish for US markets since 1931. A yield curve inversion combined with the fourth annual rate hike by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and growing geo-political uncertainty, triggered widespread angst among US investors about an economic slowdown and the increasing probability of a recession. This edition of the EconoGraphic assesses key economic indicators to make a case that while a slowing of the US economy seems certain, a recession in the next two years remains unlikely.

China Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Dec 5, 2018

Trade Disrupted: US and China Need More Than a Truce

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr</span>

At this year’s G20 summit in Buenos Aires, the trade dispute between China and the United States took center stage. Chinese President Xi and his US counterpart President Donald Trump agreed to avoid further escalations of the ongoing bilateral trade war for the next 90 days. The temporary deal does not assuage the escalatory measures already taken, leaving the existing tariffs in place. This edition of the EconoGraphic explores how the brewing trade conflict is impacting manufacturing supply chains, soybean cargo routes, and trade flows of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) among the United States, China, and the rest of the world.

China Economy & Business
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