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EconoGraphics

Nov 27, 2017

Tariff on the Rising Sun

By Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr

In April of this year, Suniva, a Chinese-owned, US-based solar manufacturer filed a rarely-used Section 201 petition with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), requesting the imposition of minimum prices for solar module imports into the United States. In May, German-based SolarWorld joined Suniva’s petition, and in September, the ITC ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, ultimately recommending up to a 35 percent tariff on imported solar modules.

Economy & Business Renewables & Advanced Energy

EconoGraphics

Nov 7, 2017

Multilateral Sanctions: Brexit Wrecks-it?

By Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr

On October 3, 2017, the Atlantic Council hosted a conference with experts from the public and private sector to discuss the impact of Brexit on economic sanctions policymaking. The United Kingdom (UK) currently plays a considerable role crafting and implementing sanctions policy in the European Union (EU). Transatlantic cooperation and sanctions alignment are vital to ensure the effectiveness of this essential foreign policy tool.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Oct 20, 2017

The US Infrastruct-cure

By Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr

Infrastructure investment stimulates economic growth. According to McKinsey & Company, an increase in infrastructure investment equal to 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) would convert into an additional 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs in the United States. America’s infrastructure is in a state of disrepair.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Sep 25, 2017

Crude Awakening

By Ole Moehr

On August 2, 2017, US President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R.3364, a new set of economic sanctions aimed primarily on Russia (with additional measures adopted against Iran and North Korea). Essential to the success of any sanctions regime is its alignment.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jul 25, 2017

The Apprentice

By Samuel Weitzman

On June 15, 2017, US President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 13801, which sought “to promote affordable education and rewarding jobs for American workers” by increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities. Trump’s stated goals are ambitious. With a proposed ApprenticeshipUSA budget of $200 million (roughly double the previous amount), the president wants to increase the number of US apprenticeships from 505,000 in 2016 to 5 million by 2022.

Economy & Business United States and Canada

EconoGraphics

Jul 6, 2017

The Big Chill(ing effect)

By Samuel Weitzman

In March 2014, the United States and the European Union (EU) issued the first in a series of sanctions against the Russian Federation for its destabilization of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. These restrictions, which initially focused on senior Russian government officials and private individuals, have expanded to include large corporations, financial institutions, and even entire economic sectors. In retaliation, Russia has adopted counter-sanctions of its own.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jun 20, 2017

Balancing Act

By Samuel Weitzman

On June 12, in US President Donald J. Trump’s first full cabinet meeting, the new US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer briefly encapsulated the young administration’s philosophy on international trade: “Deficits do matter, and ours are coming down.” This is not a particularly partisan view; Trump’s opponent in the 2016 presidential election, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, spoke out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during her campaign despite supporting it previously.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

EconoGraphics

Jun 9, 2017

A Vital Foreign Policy Tool

By Ole Moehr

This is the first EconoGraphic as part of our recently launched Economic Sanctions Initiative. The initiative aims to promote dialogue between the public and the private sector to investigate how to improve the design and implementation process of economic sanctions.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Apr 19, 2017

The European Stability Mechanism

By Lu Ding & Ole Moehr

The global economic and financial crisis, which originated in the United States in 2008, ultimately triggered a sovereign debt crisis in Europe in 2010. As a result of sky high debts, economies lacking in competitiveness, and over lenient banking regulations, the credit ratings of the Eurozone members Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain plummeted. These countries began facing prohibitively high interest rates when they attempted to borrow from international credit markets.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Mar 17, 2017

The United States Needs Europe And Vice Versa (Pt. 3)

By Lu Ding & Ole Moehr

This EconoGraphic is the final edition of a three-part series on why the United States and Europe need each other. The series highlights excerpts from the EuroGrowth Task Force’s inaugural report on European economic growth and why it matters for US prosperity.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Content

EconoGraphics

Jul 28, 2015

Where Are US Sanctions Imposed?

By Global Business and Economics

On July 14, the United States, along with the P5+1, struck a deal with Iran to ease the heavy financial and banking sanctions that starved the country's economy. Over the next decade, financial and trade sanctions will gradually be lifted, giving Iran the ability to export its plentiful oil and gas reserves and to purchase goods from abroad.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jul 22, 2015

Has Greece Been Effective at Downsizing Its Public Sector?

By Global Business and Economics

Greece and its EU counterparts made progress last week on negotiations, but some policy makers question whether Greece will truly adopt the measures necessary to recover economic stability.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

EconoGraphics

Jul 14, 2015

Should Greece’s Request for Additional Debt Relief Be Dismissed?

By Global Business and Economics

Unsatisfied with the proposed austerity measures, Greece has been pushing for a comprehensive debt relief package from its creditors. In public, Greece has appealed to the 1953 London Conference when Western Germany was forgiven over half of its debt. One of Germany's creditors then: Greece.

Economy & Business Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Jul 7, 2015

How Does Greece’s Public Debt Compare to Puerto Rico’s?

By Global Business and Economics

As Greece reaches crisis over its debts to Europe, Puerto Rico's public debt has reached an impressive $72 billion, nearly 70% of its economic output. Meanwhile, Greece has slashed the growth of its debt since 2012.

Economy & Business Greece

EconoGraphics

Jun 30, 2015

Is There a Precedent for Greece’s Bank Holiday?

By Global Business and Economics

The Greek Government officials called for a bank holiday on Sunday which went into full effect Monday, June 29th. Although the country plans to open its banks' doors next Monday, its financial duress is far from over.

Economy & Business Greece

EconoGraphics

Jun 23, 2015

How Does Greece’s Recovery Compare to Other IMF Bailouts?

By Global Business and Economics

As showdown talks over Greece take place in Europe this week, a quick examination of the recent history of bailouts is valuable.

Economy & Business Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Jun 16, 2015

Does ISDS Tip the Scales in Favor of Investors?

By Global Business and Economics

Looking at over 400 cases that have been decided through 2014, the rate of success for US and EU investors is 30% and 34%, respectively. Foreign states win against US claimants 42% of the time, and 36% of the time against EU-based firms, with the remainder being settled.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Jun 9, 2015

Where Do Trillion-Dollar Asset Managers Hail From?

By Global Business and Economics

Of the 16 investment firms in the world that hold more than $1 trillion in assets, the US leads with 12 representatives, including well-known firms like BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and the asset management arms of Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon.

Economy & Business France

EconoGraphics

Jun 2, 2015

How big is the opportunity to increase US exports in the Transpacific Partnership?

By Global Business & Economics

Data from 2014 shows that while American exports to the 11 other TPP nations totaled more than half a trillion dollars in absolute terms, there remains considerable room for improvement in relative terms

Americas Australia

EconoGraphics

May 26, 2015

Who Will Finance Ukraine?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Ukraine's economic stability is uncertain as the conflict with Russia endures. Alongside the negative impacts to growth, exports, and investment, the level of Ukraine's debts are especially worrisome.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia