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Econographics

May 12, 2025

Multilateralism under pressure: Takeaways from the 2025 IMF Spring Meetings

By Bart Piasecki

The 2025 IMF Spring Meetings unfolded against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising doubts about the future of multilateral cooperation. As global leaders gathered in Washington, DC, unease loomed large—fueled by ambiguous signals from the U.S., growing divergence among major economies, and a sobering downward revision of global growth forecasts. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered a candid diagnosis of global risks while advocating for urgent trade, fiscal, and structural reforms. Meanwhile, a high-profile intervention by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reignited debates over the IMF’s evolving mandate, highlighting a deeper ideological contest over the role of international financial institutions in a fracturing world order.

International Financial Institutions Macroeconomics

Econographics

May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV’s electors represented Catholics’ changing economic distribution

By Israel Rosales

While the direction Pope Leo XIV will take the Church is unclear at this early stage, he’s unlikely to reverse Pope Francis’s push to elevate voices from the Global South.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

Fintech Frontlines

Apr 21, 2025

Fast payments in action: Emerging lessons from Brazil and India

By Polina Kempinsky

These lessons are shaping a framework governments can use to evaluate their need for central bank-led immediate payment systems, their potential structure, organizational features, and the trade-offs involved.

Brazil Digital Currencies

Econographics

Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the level of coordination among Western allies in sanctioning Russian entities, individuals, vessels, and aircraft, and shows where gaps still remain.

Eastern Europe Economic Sanctions

Econographics

Mar 19, 2025

Investment screening reform may stifle international investment in US

By Alex Mills

The Trump administration wants to reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US. But what does this actually mean for US industry, investment, and innovation?

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Econographics

Mar 14, 2025

What is strategic about the new digital assets reserve?

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

To many on Wall Street and Main Street, this executive order on a strategic bitcoin reserve may still seem more like political maneuvering than sober monetary policy.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Econographics

Mar 13, 2025

Meeting in Mar-a-Lago: Is a new currency deal plausible?

By Josh Lipsky, Jessie Yin

Washington is once again chattering about the possibility of a currency deal. But the countries that comprise the US trade deficit today are not the same as the ones in the '80s.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

Sinographs

Mar 12, 2025

China’s economic plans prioritize consumption—but only on paper

By Jeremy Mark

At last week's meeting of the National People's Congress, China declared consumption as the number one priority. But will the spending plans actually support consumers and businesses?

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Mar 7, 2025

Charting the path for women’s economic security in the G20

By Alisha Chhangani, Jessie Yin

For International Women's Day this year, here are five charts about gender gaps in the G20. Closing these gaps would boost economic benefits for everyone.

Economy & Business G20

Econographics

Mar 5, 2025

Has the G20 become the G19?

By Hung Tran

The US has chosen to boycott the kick-off of South Africa's G20 presidency. But a G20 without the United States or its constructive engagement will be much weaker.

Economy & Business International Markets