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EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2018

Secondary Sanctions: A First Glance

By Ole Moehr

This edition of our EconoGraphic blog explains the difference between primary and secondary sanctions, outlines how secondary sanctions work, and uses a case study to demonstrate how the United States employs secondary sanctions in the real economy.

China Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jan 22, 2018

The Irish Border Question

By Ole Moehr

The future of the Irish border is one of the key sticking points in the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Dec 22, 2017

Parties Supporting Independence Win Slim Majority, But Catalonia’s Complex Stalemate Continues

By Michael Farquharson & Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis

The outcome of yesterday’s regional elections in Catalonia reflects the electorate’s deep polarization on the issue of regional independence.

Economy & Business Southern & Southeastern Europe

EconoGraphics

Dec 12, 2017

Catalonia: Secession Recession?

By Michael Farquharson & Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis

The region of Catalonia will hold critical elections on December 21. The stakes are high: the region unilaterally declared its independence on October 1 and subsequently saw the rule of its regional government suspended by Madrid’s central government pursuant to Article 155 of the Spanish constitution.

Economy & Business Southern & Southeastern Europe

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.

Economy & Business European Union

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.

Economy & Business European Union

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.

Economy & Business European Union

Content

EnergySource

Jul 2, 2026

With US sanctions temporarily lifted, is Iranian crude back on the menu?

By Lize de Kruijf, Chloe O’Connor

The US-Iran deal waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales, but Washington will need further steps to meaningfully shift global crude trade and ensure clearer visibility into Iranian oil transactions.

Dollar Dominance Energy & Environment
The flags of Canada, the United States, and Mexico

EconoGraphics

Jun 30, 2026

The five stages of a USMCA shakeup

By Madeline Chalecki

While the agreement may survive at the end of negotiations, years of uncertainty, tariffs, and prolonged talks could reshape North American trade.

Americas Economy & Business

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

Econographics

Jun 19, 2026

Central banks can’t afford to keep missing their inflation targets

By Jack Muldoon

While the Iran war explains the sudden rise in inflation, relying on this excuse obscures that there is potentially a long-term problem central banks will need to confront as they manage the long tail of this crisis.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Econographics

Jun 18, 2026

For warning signs of the next global financial crisis, watch the activities of both banks and nonbanks

By Hung Tran

The activities that trigger financial crises can be undertaken by any financial institution, including both banks and nonbanks.

Economy & Business

Econographics

Jun 12, 2026

As the US targets Brazil’s payment system, Europe should pay close attention 

By Alisha Chhangani

In its determination on Brazil’s trade practices, the USTR has zeroed in on the instant payment system Pix—raising alarms not only in Brasília but also in Brussels.

Brazil Digital Currencies

Econographics

Jun 11, 2026

What the US can learn from Europe on prediction markets—and vice versa

By Todd Phillips

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have surged to billions in trading volume, prompting US investigations into insider trading and manipulation. As Congress weighs new rules, Europe’s crackdown on retail binary options offers a possible—if imperfect—regulatory template.

Economy & Business European Union

Econographics

Jun 4, 2026

The promise and limits of the new G20 template for debt restructuring

By Hung Tran

A new G20 roadmap aims to streamline sovereign debt restructurings. Yet by reducing flexibility for creditors and debtors alike, it could make future debt crises harder to resolve.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Econographics

Jun 3, 2026

Can Section 301 effectively replace IEEPA? That is the $166 billion question

By Madeline Chalecki

Citing forced labor concerns, the Trump administration has proposed new tariffs on imports from sixty economies—a first step toward rebuilding its tariff wall. Still, the outcome is far from certain.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Econographics

May 28, 2026

As China’s surpluses become unbearable, the EU is edging toward its own Section 301

By Charles Lichfield, L. Daniel Mullaney, Jessie Yin

With Chinese industrial surpluses flooding global markets, the EU is quietly debating whether it should borrow from the US tariff toolkit—marking a potential shift toward a more assertive approach to Beijing.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia