Econographics

Econographics

Econographics is the GeoEconomics Center’s in-depth look at key trends in the global economy utilizing state-of-the-art data visualization tools.

Featured analysis

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

Econographics Jun 24, 2026

As democracies grow old, it becomes harder to adopt sound economic policies

By Martin Mühleisen

By slowing growth and tightening fiscal space, aging in democracies may contribute to an increase in political polarization.
Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform
Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

Dispatches Jun 23, 2026

The Greenspan legacy: How the Federal Reserve should face the AI revolution

By Hung Tran

Learning from the former Federal Reserve chair’s experiences to safely navigate the current tech boom would be the highest form of tribute to his memory.
Economy & Business Financial Regulation
Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

Dispatches Jun 22, 2026

Who’s to blame for the UK’s high turnover of prime ministers?

By Philippe Dickinson, Charles Lichfield

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation again raises questions about whether the current difficulty lies in the candidate, the country, or the system.
Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Latest analysis

EconoGraphics

Jul 23, 2019

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

By OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY MARIANNA ASLUND, NICK BROWN, ANDREW LASCALEIA

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 BY OLE MOEHR | GRAPHICS BY SHIQING HUA, FRANCIS AUBEE, AND NICK BROWN

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 Ole Moehr | Graphics by Shiqing Hua and Francis Aubee

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 Ole Moehr | Graphics by Shiqing Hua and Zachary Coles

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

EconoGraphics

Dec 21, 2018

Economic Outlook for 2019

By Global Business & Economics Program

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 Ole Moehr

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

EconoGraphics

Oct 30, 2018

SWIFTly Disconnecting Iran

By Ole Moehr

With the snapback of significant US sanctions against Iran fast approaching on November 5th, speculation is mounting over how the Trump Administration will enforce the sanctions, and how its European allies might attempt to bypass them. The previous EconoGraphic outlined how a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) may facilitate trade between European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Iran after US sanctions go back into effect. This edition of the EconoGraphic provides a primer on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and explains why sanctioning the financial messaging service would likely cause more harm than good.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

EconoGraphics

Oct 9, 2018

JCPOA in Peril – EU SPV to the Rescue?

By Ole Moehr

The European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, recently announced that the EU will set-up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) “to facilitate legitimate financial transactions with Iran and allow European companies to continue to trade with Iran.” In response, our visiting senior fellow, Samantha Sultoon, argued that this SPV will not provide a reliable path around US sanctions, and may undermine the effectiveness of US and EU sanctions in the long-run. This edition of the EconoGraphic explains how the SPV would work in practice and outlines why this mechanism is unlikely to offer Iran enough economic upside to keep the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) alive.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Sep 17, 2018

Turkish Outbreak: Risk of Emerging Market Contagion?

By Christina Gay and Ole Moehr

With the strengthening of the US dollar in the wake of continued interest rate increases by the US Federal Reserve and brewing pressures in a number of emerging market (EM), portfolio flows into EM countries slowed from $13.7 billion in July to just $2.2 billion in August. Companies and banks in both Argentina and Turkey borrowed heavily in dollar denominated debt while interest rates were low and are now faced with mounting debt burdens, which, if not backed by sufficient reserves puts them at risk for default if investors lose confidence. The Turkish lira has fallen over 40 percent in 2018. Its sharp decline in August raised concern of contagion to other markets, as the Indonesian rupiah, the South African rand, and the Indian rupee have also come under pressure. This edition of the Econographic compares situation in Turkey with the Asian financial crisis in 1997, analyzes root causes of the current pressures in Turkey, and assesses the broader implications for EM economies.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Aug 8, 2018

JEEPA – Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement Leaves the US Out in the Cold

By Cecilia Pan and Ole Moehr

While President Trump is pursuing a protectionist trade agenda – halting negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and threatening trade wars against adversaries and allies – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been doing just the opposite. As part of Abenomics’ third arrow, the Prime Minister is forging global partnerships between Japan and other leading economies to foster economic growth. Case in point, the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (JEEPA) signed on July 17, 2018. This edition of the EconoGraphic will review this ambitious bilateral free trade agreement, assess its impact on the US economy, and explore the consequences of the United States’ retreat from its role as the global leader for free trade.

Economy & Business European Union
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Econographics

Aug 25, 2026

Maritime trade routes are under threat—and markets still underprice the risks

By Alex Mills

Conflict, climate change, and geopolitical tensions are putting unprecedented pressure on the world's most important waterways. The economic costs are set to ripple far beyond the shipping industry.

Central America Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 24, 2026

Stablecoin regulation has outpaced global coordination. The G20 can help.

By Jai Massari

Three challenges stand out: recognizing issuers across borders, agreeing on common rules for stablecoin use, and making stablecoins truly fungible across jurisdictions.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Econographics

Aug 21, 2026

From manufacturing to AI, Thailand must reinvent its growth model

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Thailand is at an economic crossroads. Slowing growth and rising structural pressures are exposing the limits of its manufacturing-led model. Can EVs, green industries, and AI drive its next phase of growth?

East Asia Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 20, 2026

Faster, cheaper, safer? The G20 should address the tradeoffs in cross-border payments.

By Ruth Goodwin-Groen and Louis de Koker

The tensions between inclusion and speed on the one hand, and safety and security on the other, are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Aug 14, 2026

Indonesia has all that it takes to move up the value chain

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Ahead of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, Indonesia has a chance to showcase its growing economic clout. The challenge is turning its natural resources, young population, and strategic position into lasting productivity gains.

Economy & Business South Asia

Econographics

Aug 13, 2026

Are rising bond yields and elevated leverage a recipe for market turmoil?

By Hung Tran

Rising bond yields, elevated leverage, and an ongoing correction in AI stocks are making the financial system more fragile. The appropriate response is preparation, not panic.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Aug 12, 2026

Europe’s rare earth strategy is betting on allies

By Theodor Westerlund Moberg

Europe cannot mine its way out of rare earth dependence on China. With most refining still under Chinese control, the EU needs deeper allied cooperation—and sustained investment—to build resilient supply chains.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 10, 2026

When a few stocks become the market

By Bart Piasecki

Stock market concentration is rising as a small group of companies increasingly drives major indexes. South Korea’s KOSPI shows how quickly strong returns can become a market vulnerability.

Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 6, 2026

A visual guide to the new US tariff wall

By Madeline Chalecki

The Trump administration’s new tariff regime is a complex patchwork of duties, exemptions, and trade deals. Here’s how it is reshaping US trade—in eight charts.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Econographics

Jul 31, 2026

The infrastructure for tokenized bank deposits is beginning to take shape

By Hung Tran

Tokenized bank deposits remain modest in scale and largely limited to fragmented, bank-specific networks. Yet recent pilots suggest that the infrastructure needed for cross-border use is beginning to emerge.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
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