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

CETA: Why “Comprehensive” Matters

Econographics Nov 12, 2025

Yes, tech stocks have taken a hit. But the real danger lies elsewhere.

By Hung Tran

Tech stocks’ sharp selloff has grabbed headlines, but the real risk may be in tightening US dollar funding. As the Fed drains liquidity and repo rates surge above policy benchmarks, hedge funds and foreign banks—holding trillions in dollar assets—face rising pressure. The danger isn’t just market volatility, but whether global finance can withstand a squeeze in the world’s core funding system.
Economy & Business
CETA: Why “Comprehensive” Matters

Econographics Sep 16, 2025

The Supreme Court’s decision on Trump tariffs will have lasting impact on US economic statecraft

By Stephanie Connor

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the case will shape US economic policy for years to come.
Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
CETA: Why “Comprehensive” Matters

Fintech Frontlines Aug 25, 2025

Everybody wants a stablecoin, even China

By Ananya Kumar

From Beijing’s perspective, a successful offshore yuan-denominated stablecoin could replace some existing yuan transactions, increase the purchases of offshore bonds, and even make them technologically more efficient.
China Digital Currencies

Latest analysis

Econographics

Jan 5, 2022

How secure is Social Security?

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

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 Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese, Maia Nikoladze and Castellum.AI

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 Niels Graham

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 Daniel Fried, Hagar Hajjar Chemali

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 Julia Friedlander, Clete R. Willems

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 GeoEconomics team

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 Mrugank Bhusari, Niels Graham

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 Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI

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 Julia Friedlander, Michael Albanese and Castellum.AI

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 Niels Graham

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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Content

EconoGraphics

Oct 25, 2016

CETA: Why “Comprehensive” Matters

By Filippos Letsas

On October 14th, the regional parliament of Wallonia, a French-speaking region of 3.6 million people in Belgium, voted to block the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a proposed trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Canada, which has been negotiated for over 7 years.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Oct 7, 2016

Europe′s Fiscal Burden in Focus

By Filippos Letsas

The European Union’s (EU) Stability and Growth Pact requires Eurozone countries to annually lay out their fiscal plans for the following three years. The European Commission (EC) then compares the member states’ reports with its own projections and those produced by independent bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to evaluate whether the member states are on track to reach their Medium-Term Budgetary Objectives (MTOs).

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Sep 30, 2016

Myanmar: Post-Sanctions Landscape

By Filippos Letsas

On the occasion of Myanmar’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent visit to the United States (U.S.), President Obama announced that executive sanctions on Myanmar would soon be lifted. This will grant Myanmar greater access to the U.S. market and encourage U.S. companies to invest in the country. Trade between the two countries remains at relatively low levels (i.e. $225 million in 2015), with U.S. investment to Myanmar accounting for only 0.2% of the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Economy & Business
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

EconoGraphics

Sep 13, 2016

TTIP = So (Ger)Many Benefits

By Filippos Letsas

As the most export-driven major economy in the European Union (EU), Germany stands to benefit greatly from a robust Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Jul 12, 2016

Taking Stock of European Banks: Improvements Amid Challenges

By Nathaniel Rome

Since the British referendum, Europe’s banking sector has come under renewed scrutiny from financial markets as well as European Union officials and finance ministers. A primary focus is on Italy - which has accumulated $400 billion in gross bad loans - and the EU-Italy talks about how to recapitalize the weak Italian banks.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Jun 29, 2016

Econographics – TTIP

By Nathaniel Rome

The United Kingdom’s (UK) vote last week to leave the European Union (EU) has raised questions about the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). TTIP is a trade agreement currently being negotiated by the United States (US) and the EU that will eliminate tariffs, reduce red tape, and set a new standard for international trade agreements. Following the Brexit vote, US Trade Representative Michael Froman and European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström released statements reaffirming their commitment to TTIP.

Economy & Business
European Union

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 21, 2016

London Riches Falling Down

By Nathaniel Rome

London is the undisputed financial capital of Europe, and is rivaled only by New York City for the top spot worldwide (Global Financial Centers Index). When competing on a level playing field, London outperforms other major European financial centers because of the superior human capital, infrastructure, and regulatory environment of the city. London dominates 78 percent of European FOREX trading and generates a trade surplus worth tens of billions of pounds (UK Office of National Statistics).

Economy & Business
European Union

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 9, 2016

Britannia, Rule the Trade!

By Nathaniel Rome & TK Spandhla

The decades following World War II experienced an explosion of global trade. The annual growth rate of global exports averaged 8 percent in the 1950s, 9 percent in the 1960s, and 20 percent in the 1970s (World Trade Organization). During this boom of global trade, the volume of UK exports grew in absolute terms. However, up until the mid-1970s, the UK trade growth lagged behind the global average.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Jun 1, 2016

Not The Time to Falter: Economic Sanctions Against Russia

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis

As the European Union (EU) prepares to unanimously extend its economic sanctions on Russia when they expire on July, it is a good opportunity to take a closer look. After Russia´s illegal annexation of Crimea and interference in Eastern Ukraine, the U.S. and the EU enacted economic sanctions in a coordinated manner, which were followed by other Allies and partners like Canada and Australia.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Apr 13, 2016

Europe’s Path to Budget Equilibrium

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

The European Union’s 28 member nations are required by Stability and Growth Pact to keep their budget deficits to within 3 percent of GDP. According to the European Commission forecast (as of winter 2016) six countries will exceed this level in 2016: the U.K., France, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Portugal. Romania will post a deficit at the threshold. This is an improvement from 2009 and 2010, when no fewer than 22 EU countries overstepped the deficit limit.

Economy & Business
European Union
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