Featured analysis

Latest analysis

Econographics

Jan 3, 2024

Five under-the-radar economic trends that could define 2024

By Josh Lipsky

We picked five under-the-radar trends that will matter for the global economy in 2024. Each shows the potential weak spots in the global economy alongside the forces that could stabilize growth.

China Economy & Business
Building with EU flags

Econographics

Dec 19, 2023

Three next steps for the EU’s approach to economic security

By Elmar Hellendoorn

The EU’s Strategy on Economic Security, published this summer, was the first official effort to present a more coherent view on the European policy approach at the intersection of economics and geopolitics. In the end, however, the EU's approach to economic security can only be successful if it is tied to Europe's long-term political objectives.

European Union Eurozone
Ships on Red Sea

Econographics

Dec 18, 2023

What attacks in the Red Sea could mean for the global economy

By Hung Tran

Recent missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated regional tensions and disrupted global trade. Large shipping companies are now avoiding the route, causing significant costs and delays, which is impacting the the already fragile economy.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Dec 11, 2023

China’s manufacturing overcapacity threatens global green goods trade

By Niels Graham

Chinese lending is exacerbating a growing glut in its green manufacturing sector. Beijing is increasingly looking abroad to absorb excess capacity. This may have devastating effects for the global trading system as economies move to protect their own domestic industry.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Dec 7, 2023

Germany’s debt brake isn’t working

By Hung Tran

Germany’s coalition government was dealt a fiscal crisis when the country’s Constitutional Court ruled that repurposing €60 billion of unspent money from the pandemic emergency support facility to the Climate and Transformation Fund was unconstitutional.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Dec 1, 2023

Financialization has increased economic fragility

By Hung Tran

Since the 1980s, financial activities and assets have played an increasingly dominant role in the global economy. At the same time, underlying economic activity as measured by global GDP has been growing more slowly. The result has been an ever-larger gap between the volume and value of financial activity relative to the real economy. And […]

Financial Regulation Macroeconomics

Econographics

Nov 30, 2023

Geoeconomic fragmentation is threatening the green energy transition

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The energy transition depends on trade—and on China. Geoeconomic fragmentation could impact global climate targets.

Africa China

Econographics

Nov 16, 2023

CBDCs will further fragment the global economy—and could threaten the dollar

By Hung Tran, Barbara C. Matthews

Divergent regulatory and technological standards are evolving along geopolitical fault lines. Such an outcome would be costly.

China Digital Currencies

Econographics

Nov 14, 2023

The economic implications of a federal government shutdown

By Niels Graham

For the third time this year, stalemate in Washington is again threatening the US economic outlook. If Congress is unable to agree on a funding bill by November 17, the federal government will be forced to halt most discretionary spending. Depending on its length and severity, this shutdown could rattle global bond markets, increase November […]

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Nov 8, 2023

How digitalization can improve climate resilience in the Global South

By Camilla Valente and Saffiyah Coker

Digitalization offers a novel opportunity to build climate resilience if properly supported by the Bretton Woods Institutions.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Content

Econographics

Nov 4, 2026

The midterms are done. Time for the fiscal clashes to begin.

By Josh Lipsky, Bart Piasecki

The Democrats’ victory in the 2026 US midterm elections sets the stage for major showdowns on the federal budget and the debt ceiling.

Dollar Dominance Economy & Business

Econographics

Nov 3, 2026

A $6 billion hack in a season of AI anxiety

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

A $6.3 billion Binance hack and AI-assisted discoveries of software vulnerabilities made unsettling headlines. But not everything is as new or terrifying as it seems.

Artificial Intelligence Digital Currencies

Econographics

Oct 30, 2026

As energy prices threaten inflation again, Lagarde’s European Central Bank legacy offers lessons

By Hung Tran

Christine Lagarde's European Central Bank legacy reflects strong crisis management and efforts to strengthen the euro, but a mixed record on inflation.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Econographics

Oct 20, 2026

The rewiring of globalization is under way

By Hung Tran

Global supply chains are being reconfigured in response to geopolitical and economic upheaval. This is a more nuanced picture than the term "deglobalization" suggests.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Oct 13, 2026

How the trade war with Canada is hitting US states—and could sway midterm elections

By Madeline Chalecki and Delnaz Ghadiali

Tariffs on both sides of the border have concentrated the financial burden on specific states and industries, bringing the trade war into some of the country’s most competitive political races.

Economy & Business North America

EconoGraphics

Oct 12, 2026

Live updates from the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Thailand as financial leaders take on AI, debt, and geopolitical upheaval

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts are on the ground talking to leaders and getting the behind-the-scenes scoop on how the Bretton Woods institutions are taking on the most urgent challenges in the global economy.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Econographics

Oct 2, 2026

Investing in Europe’s next growth engine

By Charles Lichfield

With Western European investment becoming less dependable, Central and Eastern Europe faces a choice: attract new foreign capital, or do more to mobilize the investment potential within the region itself.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Econographics

Oct 1, 2026

Can Mexico thread the needle between Washington and Beijing?

By Phil Lovegren, Ernesto Stein

As US-Mexico trade talks approach, the Mexican government faces a delicate balancing act: curbing Chinese trade and investment without cutting off vital inputs and foreign capital.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Oct 1, 2026

Making the EU’s new industrial rulebook work for Central Europe

By Charles Lichfield

As the EU rethinks its approach to industrial policy, Central Europe needs to make sure the shift strengthens the region’s manufacturing base.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Econographics

Sep 30, 2026

To save its manufacturing base, Europe needs to look east

By Charles Lichfield

Europe is counting on Central and Eastern Europe to power its manufacturing revival—but first, it needs to make sure Germany’s slowdown doesn’t drag the region down with it.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia