Featured analysis

Latest analysis

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

EconoGraphics

Apr 1, 2016

The European Refugee Surge: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

Asylum applications to the European Union (EU) set an all-time record in 2015, more than doubling the 2014 figure, according to EUROSTAT. After the recent agreement between Turkey and the EU, the influx of refugees is expected to decrease significantly.

Afghanistan Europe & Eurasia

Bremain vs Brexit

Mar 24, 2016

A Costly Goodbye

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

On June 23, British citizens will decide on a referendum whether the UK stays or leaves the EU. The consequences of a vote to leave, or Brexit, could decide the UK’s place in the world for generations.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Mar 24, 2016

The French Way of Reforms

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

France’s economy has struggled to grow in recent years, expanding by a mere 1.1% in 2015. Meanwhile its unemployment rate has stubbornly lingered around 10%, with a slight upwards trend.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

EconoGraphics

Mar 14, 2016

A Tale of Two QE’s

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

On March 10, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced an expansion of its Quantitative Easing Program (QE), increasing the amount of government bonds it buys monthly from €60 billion to €80 billion. It also extended the range of assets it purchases to include investment grade non-bank corporate bonds. On top of that, the ECB lowered already negative deposit interest rates further down, to -0.4%, and its main interest rate to 0%. So, why have Central Banks embraced QE?

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Mar 4, 2016

TTIP: Window of Opportunity is Closing

By Alvaro Morales Salto Weis & TK Spandhla

The 12th round of negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) concluded last week in Brussels on an optimistic tone. The Chief Negotiator for the EU announced significant advances in most negotiating areas, including on the Investor-State-Dispute Settlement (ISD), which had been frozen for months. His US counterpart expressed confidence in reaching an ambitious deal in the second half of the year, rejecting calls for a “TTIP lite”.

Economy & Business European Union

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