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

TTIP in Europe

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
TTIP in Europe

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
TTIP in Europe

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

Apr 21, 2015

Exit, or Voice?

By Global Business & Economics

In March, the UK, Germany, Italy, and France decided to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), shocking the Obama administration.

Brazil
China

EconoGraphics

Apr 14, 2015

Who is Investing Abroad?

By Global Business & Economics

While the US still leads the world in outflowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the emerging markets are catching up quickly. Chinese outflowing FDI, in particular has grown tremendously: since 2005, it increased more than 30-fold in 8 years from $5 billion to $166 billion. While initial Chinese foreign investments focused on natural resource industries, over time the investments have spread to diverse industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and professional services. BRIC FDIs are emerging as key growth drivers for low income countries, improving their business environment, building infrastructure, creating jobs, and adding much-needed revenue to government coffers.

China
Russia

EconoGraphics

Apr 7, 2015

Is Europe still vulnerable to a Greek default?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Private banks throughout Europe have significantly reduced their exposure to Greek debt (bank, public, and non-bank private sector debt) over the last five years. After Greece came under market pressure and eventually obtained ECB and IMF financial assistance in 2010, most European banks started to rapidly reduce their exposure to Greece. For instance, between 2010 and 2014 French banks’ holdings decreased from $63 billion to $2 billion.

Economy & Business
Eurozone

EconoGraphics

Mar 31, 2015

The IMF’s Changing Role in Europe

By Global Business & Economics

The International Monetary Fund’s purpose and scope of work have changed since its founding after World War II. Whereas at first the Fund aimed to maintain monetary and exchange-rate stability among its members who were primarily advanced economies, today it faces its first credible challenge to its status as the world’s lender of last resort.

Economy & Business
Financial Regulation

EconoGraphics

Mar 24, 2015

How Much Does it Cost for Cubans to Access Information?

By Global Business & Economics

When President Obama announced his landmark policy shift towards Cuba, easing the 54-year-old embargo, one of the first companies to announce they would begin operating in Cuba was Netflix. The online video company’s decision was surprising, if only because Cuba’s internet is one of the slowest in the world.

Americas
Cuba

EconoGraphics

Mar 17, 2015

Who Will Finance Public Debt?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Today, the cap on US government spending (or the “debt ceiling”) is officially reinstated, and with it, the threat of another clash over the national debt. Policymakers will have a runway of just months before they must decide to lift the cap on borrowing or temporarily allow it to be raised

Brazil
China

EconoGraphics

Mar 11, 2015

The Benefits of a Strong Dollar: Where Should You Go on Your Next Vacation?

By Global Business & Economics

There’s never been a better time to be a tourist—as long as you’re paying in dollars. Major currencies worldwide have plunged in value, meaning each US dollar buys more euros and renminbi today than it did one year ago.

Americas
Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Mar 3, 2015

Who Will Collapse First?

By Global Business & Economics

Both the Ukrainian and Russian economies are suffering from recent events. While weak domestic institutions and a fight with insurgents in the country’s East plague Ukraine, sanctions and low prices for oil and gas are hurting the Russian economy.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Feb 24, 2015

Is the US Still Leading in Global Trade?

By Global Business & Economics Program

In the last two decades, the Asia Pacific region has signed sixty-five free trade agreements. South America, Eurasia, and Europe combined have signed over one-hundred and fifty agreements. Over the same period, the US has signed twelve agreements.

Americas
East Asia

EconoGraphics

Feb 17, 2015

EconoGraphics – EU Energy Dependency

By Global Business & Economics Program

A great part of Europe is highly dependent on Russian energy, which helps to explain many of the concerns Europeans have over the developments in Ukraine.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment
Load More

Content

EconoGraphics

Oct 21, 2015

TTIP in Europe

By Global Business and Economics

On October 10th, hundreds of thousands of concerned German citizens marched in Berlin to protest the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). TTIP's critics argue it benefits corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens, while its proponents argue it provides significant economic growth.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Oct 13, 2015

Breaking Down Walls: How Will American Agricultural Producers Fare Under TPP?

By Global Business and Economics

On October 5th, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations were concluded in Atlanta. The deal faced criticism from some on a lack of transparency, but details are now beginning to emerge on the settlement. Even with TPP's lack of transparency, there were clear tension points between negotiators on topics such as biologics, dairy products, and rules of origin for the automaking industry. This week's Econographic looks specifically at one of the potential winners of the trade deal, the American agricultural sector.

Economy & Business
Indo-Pacific

EconoGraphics

Oct 6, 2015

How Can We Bridge Automaking Standards for Growth?

By Global Business and Economics

The recent Volkswagen scandal has refocused consumers on automaking standards and CO2 emissions. These differences have also been one of the sticking points in TTIP negotiations. Both the American and European automaking sectors have rigorous standards, and as might be expected hold similar regulations.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Sep 29, 2015

How Does The Most Recent Greek Bailout Deal Compare With The Past Two Agreements?

By Global Business and Economics

The latest Memorandum of Understanding between the EU Institutions and the Greek Government passed in August, leaves Tsipras only one additional month to implement eighty-five initiatives. These reforms cover a diverse range of topics, from consolidating taxation policies to health and education reform.

Economy & Business
European Union

EconoGraphics

Sep 22, 2015

Migrant Flows and the Future of Europe

By Global Business and Economics

As Europe confronts the migrant crisis, much of the current coverage remains fixed on short run trends, but in order to have a comprehensive perspective it is necessary to project these trends into the future. In spite of commonly held concerns of migrants' effect on European identity, many of these nations' birthrates and outflows of migrants will actually be higher than their intake of migrants. Negative flows of migrants could further weaken pension plans, as aging European populations struggle to balance social welfare models with demographic realities.

Afghanistan
Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Sep 15, 2015

Has the Renminbi Arrived as an International Currency?

By Global Business and Economics

As China slowly transitions from an investment and export based economy to a consumer based economy, the Chinese must also liberalize both their monetary affairs and the management of their currency. By increasing the wealth of Chinese consumers via their currency's value, domestic demand will supplant the role of exports. For this process to be completed, the Chinese currency, the Renminbi, must assume its place in the package of globally dominant currencies.

China
Economy & Business

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.

Economy & Business
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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
Load More