The Economic Statecraft Initiative

Housed within the GeoEconomics Center, the Economic Statecraft Initiative (ESI) publishes leading-edge research and analysis on sanctions and the use of economic power to achieve foreign policy objectives and protect national security interests. Coercive and positive economic statecraft measures are increasingly used by the United States, European Union, and their allies and partners to address global challenges.

ESI convenes public events and private roundtable discussions to explore challenges and opportunities, providing policymakers and the private sector with unbiased data-driven analysis and actionable recommendations to shape economic statecraft solutions to global challenges.

The Economic Statecraft Initiative resides within the GeoEconomics Center, a translation hub at the nexus of economics, finance, and foreign policy with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Research and Analysis

Testimony

On February 20, 2025, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, “An Axis of Autocracy? China’s Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Featured Report

The economic statecraft landscape is becoming more complex as transatlantic partners increasingly leverage economic power to counter transnational threats. There is a growing need to understand how these tools are used, by whom, and when, as well as their intended and real impacts worldwide.

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2025

Less investment, less influence: Why the US risks losing ground in the Indo-Pacific

By Lize de Kruijf and Nazima Tursun

The US withdrawal of foreign aid to Indo-Pacific countries creates space for China to expand its influence in the region.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

Econographics

Jun 17, 2025

Anonymous shell companies pose a threat to US national security. Here is how to address it.

By Julie Brinn Siegel

On March 26, the Department of the Treasury scrapped critical federal rules that would have made most anonymous shell companies illegal. The rules would also have prevented them from being abused by drug cartels, human traffickers, foreign adversaries like Iran and China, terrorist groups, and other bad actors.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 16, 2025

Did Trump effectively nationalize US Steel with his ‘golden share’?

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman

The Atlantic Council’s Sarah Bauerle Danzman delves into the details of the recently finalized deal between Nippon Steel and US Steel.

Economy & Business Japan

Econographics

Jun 12, 2025

The objectives of transatlantic financial services regulation and the future of international cooperation

By Matthew L. Ekberg

Much has been written in recent weeks about heightened geopolitical tensions and the impact of policy changes concerning international trade on global markets. Less has been said about the growing shift in focus on both sides of the Atlantic—and across the English Channel—on the next stage of development for financial services regulation.

Economy & Business European Union

Econographics

May 29, 2025

After partial relief, what’s next for Syria sanctions?

By Alex Zerden

Syria remains a high-risk jurisdiction due to years of conflict, endemic corruption, state institution collapse, narcotrafficking of captagon, insufficient anti-money laundering efforts, and inadequate financing of terrorism controls.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Lexicon

Economic Statecraft Lexicon

A comprehensive resource designed to clarify and enhance understanding of key terms and concepts in the economic statecraft field. The Lexicon represents a collaborative effort to support more effective communication and informed decision-making on economic statecraft.

Events

Transatlantic Forum

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is our annual flagship conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, and launches cutting-edge research and analysis on transatlantic alignment on economic statecraft.

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Staff

Fellows

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