Coverage
Speakers
Agenda

On September 28, in partnership with Atlantik-Brücke, the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center hosted the inaugural Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics in Frankfurt, Germany.

This is a critical moment for transatlantic economic cooperation. The war in Ukraine and the Group of Seven (G7)’s swift response have shown the world the impact of transatlantic coordination. The Frankfurt Forum provided an opportunity to advance this transatlantic dialogue from crisis response to addressing the key economic issues that will underpin the US-Europe partnership over the next decade.

Speakers at the four high-level sessions discussed the international roles of the dollar and the euro, the future of transatlantic trade, a roadmap for digital assets, and the new era of economic statecraft. The event launched new research in each area.

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, opened the conference with a keynote fireside chat alongside Maria Demertzis, deputy director of Bruegel.

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Coverage

Keynote remarks

Christine Lagarde

President, European Central Bank

IN CONVERSATION WITH: Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel

Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

New Atlanticist Sep 28, 2022

ECB chief Christine Lagarde: ‘Our primary objective is price stability’

By Dan Peleschuk

Europe’s top banker shares her thoughts on the inflation crisis and much more during the Atlantic Council’s Frankfurt Forum.
Economy & Business European Union
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Transcript Sep 28, 2022

Full transcript: Christine Lagarde on fighting inflation, coordinating monetary policy, and creating a digital euro

By Atlantic Council

ECB President Christine Lagarde struck a decisive tone Wednesday during the Atlantic Council and Atlantik-Brücke’s Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics—pledging to bring prices under control through consistent and deliberate policy.
Digital Currencies Economic Sanctions

Paolo Gentiloni

Commissioner for Economy, EU Commission

IN CONVERSATION WITH: Annette Weisbach, Reporter, CNBC in Germany

Read the transcript

Transcript

Sep 28, 2022

Full transcript: Paolo Gentiloni on signs the West’s sanctions on Russia are working—and the new packages on the way

By Atlantic Council

The European Commissioner for Economy explained that to navigate today’s troubled waters, the United States and European Union will need to stick together.

Digital Currencies Economic Sanctions

Session 1: International trade

Rethinking transatlantic trade in a changing global economy

Elizabeth Baltzan, Senior Advisor, United States Trade Representative
Kenneth Kang, Deputy Director, Strategy, Policy, and Review, International Monetary Fund
Rupert Schlegelmilch, Acting Deputy Director-General, DG Trade, European Commission
Anahita Thoms, Board Member, Atlantik-Bruecke and Partner, Baker & Mckenzie International

MODERATED BY
Clete Willems, Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council; Former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, The White House

Read the report

Issue Brief

Sep 27, 2022

TTC, IPEF, and the road to an Indo-Pacific trade deal: A new model

By Clete R. Willems, Niels Graham

The Biden administration’s “trade policy for the middle class” is taking shape. Exemplified by the TTC and IPEF, its is “beyond-the-border” issues, such as regulatory alignment and standard setting, attempts to improve supply chain resilience, and efforts to promote high labor and environmental standards. However, to achieve its strategic goals, the administration should consider adding traditional market access components.

China Economy & Business

Session 2: Monetary policy

The international role of the euro and the dollar – Forever in the lead?

Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel
Andreas Dombret, Board Member, Atlantik-Bruecke; Former Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bundesbank
Geoffrey Okamoto, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs; Former First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Philippa Sigl-Glöckner, Founder, Dezernat Zukunft

MODERATED BY
Martin Mühleisen, Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council; Former Chief of Staff, International Monetary Fund

Read the report

Issue Brief

Sep 27, 2022

The international role of the euro and the dollar: Forever in the lead?

By Martin Mühleisen

This paper argues that this is unlikely for the foreseeable future, in part because a larger global role for the renminbi would be inconsistent with the Chinese leadership’s current policy priorities. However, there is no room for complacency.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Session 3: Digital currencies

Coordination and compromise: How the US and EU can set international standards on digital assets

Candace Kelly, Chief Legal Officer, Stellar Development Foundation
Brent Neiman, Counselor to the Secretary, US Treasury
Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of Research, Bank for International Settlements
Evelien Witlox, Program Director, Digital Euro Project, European Central Bank

MODERATED BY
Annette Weisbach, Reporter, CNBC in Germany

Read the report

Issue Brief

Sep 28, 2022

Privacy in cross-border digital currency: A transatlantic approach

By Giulia Fanti and Nadia Pocher

As a growing number of countries explore Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) for the domestic context, multi-country cross-border CBDCs pilots are also proliferating. Cross-border CBDCs could make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and simpler.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Session 4: Economic statecraft

A new era in the use of sanctions and tools of statecraft

Julia Friedlander, CEO, Atlantik-Bruecke
Carla Norrlöf, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto
Daleep Singh, Former Deputy National Security Advisor, National Security Council

MODERATED BY
Frank Wiebe, Correspondent, Handelsblatt

Read the report

western currency dominance cover

Issue Brief

Sep 27, 2022

Will economic statecraft threaten western currency dominance? Sanctions, geopolitics, and the global monetary order 

By Dr. Carla Norrlöf

The return of great power rivalry is stoking renewed fears of weakening Western currency dominance. Financial sanctions are becoming the preferred economic tool for accomplishing geopolitical goals.

China Economic Sanctions

Data deep dive

Trade, sanctions, and energy: New public opinion research from Morning Consult

PRESENTATION BY: Sonnet Frisbie, Managing Director, Geopolitical Risk, EMEA, Morning Consult

Presentation 1

Presentation 2

Playlist

Recap and analyses

Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

New Atlanticist Sep 27, 2022

From sanctions to digital currencies, here’s a new transatlantic agenda for economic coordination

By Charles Lichfield

At our Frankfurt Forum on US-EU GeoEconomics, the Council’s original research lays out a long-term strategy for economic coordination in a world reshaped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Economy & Business European Union
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

New Atlanticist Sep 28, 2022

The economic response that can match Putin’s escalation in Ukraine

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

The G7 and the wider West have done a solid job targeting the Russian economy. Now, they need to keep up the pressure.
Crisis Management Economic Sanctions
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

New Atlanticist Sep 29, 2022

Dispatch from the Frankfurt Forum: How the US and Europe can turn crisis cooperation into sustained partnership

By Daniel Malloy, Charles Lichfield

The Council’s Frankfurt Forum showed that while the United States and EU approach some challenges differently, Russian aggression has provided a renewed sense of purpose and urgency to resolve those differences.
Economy & Business European Union

Speeches

Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Transcript Oct 3, 2022

Here’s how to prepare for the world’s next economic shock, according to the Deutsche Bundesbank president

By Atlantic Council

Policymakers are rethinking elements of their strategic approach to take into account the unexpected, Nagel said at an event before the Frankfurt Forum in Germany.
Economy & Business European Union
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Transcript Oct 3, 2022

The EU and US must continue to work together, as a recession ‘can no longer be ruled out,’ says Paolo Gentiloni

By Atlantic Council

“Transatlantic cooperation is a necessary but not sufficient condition to tackle the challenges the world is facing,” Gentiloni told the audience at the 2022 Frankfurt Forum.
Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Publications

Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Issue Brief Sep 27, 2022

The international role of the euro and the dollar: Forever in the lead?

By Martin Mühleisen

This paper argues that this is unlikely for the foreseeable future, in part because a larger global role for the renminbi would be inconsistent with the Chinese leadership’s current policy priorities. However, there is no room for complacency.
Digital Currencies Digital Policy
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Issue Brief Sep 27, 2022

Will economic statecraft threaten western currency dominance? Sanctions, geopolitics, and the global monetary order 

By Dr. Carla Norrlöf

The return of great power rivalry is stoking renewed fears of weakening Western currency dominance. Financial sanctions are becoming the preferred economic tool for accomplishing geopolitical goals.
China Economic Sanctions
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Issue Brief Sep 27, 2022

TTC, IPEF, and the road to an Indo-Pacific trade deal: A new model

By Clete R. Willems, Niels Graham

The Biden administration’s “trade policy for the middle class” is taking shape. Exemplified by the TTC and IPEF, its is “beyond-the-border” issues, such as regulatory alignment and standard setting, attempts to improve supply chain resilience, and efforts to promote high labor and environmental standards. However, to achieve its strategic goals, the administration should consider adding traditional market access components.
China Economy & Business
Highlights from the 2022 Frankfurt Forum on US-European GeoEconomics

Issue Brief Sep 28, 2022

Privacy in cross-border digital currency: A transatlantic approach

By Giulia Fanti and Nadia Pocher

As a growing number of countries explore Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) for the domestic context, multi-country cross-border CBDCs pilots are also proliferating. Cross-border CBDCs could make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and simpler.
Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Photos

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Photograph by Stefan Krutsch

Panelists

Opening keynote remarks

Christine Lagarde

President
European Central Bank

Full coverage

Speakers

Agenda

8:55 – 9:20 am CET

Welcoming remarks

Ulrich Caspar, President, IHK Frankfurt am Main
Sigmar Gabriel, Chairman, Atlantik-Bruecke
Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council

Keynote fireside chat

Christine Lagarde, President, European Central Bank

IN CONVERSATION WITH
Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel

9:20 – 9:50 am CET
10:25 – 11:30 am CET

Session 1: International trade

Rethinking transatlantic trade in a changing global economy

Elizabeth Baltzan, Senior Advisor, United States Trade Representative 
Kenneth Kang, Deputy Director, Strategy, Policy, and Review, International Monetary Fund 
Rupert Schlegelmilch, Acting Deputy Director-General, DG Trade, European Commission
Anahita Thoms, Board Member, Atlantik-Bruecke and Partner, Baker & Mckenzie International 

MODERATED BY
Clete Willems, Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council; Former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, The White House 

Paper Launch: TTC, IPEF, and the Road to an Indo-Pacific Trade Deal
A New Model
by Clete Willems and Niels Graham

Session 2: Monetary policy

The international role of the euro and the dollar – Forever in the lead?

Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel
Andreas Dombret, Board Member, Atlantik-Bruecke; Former Member of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bundesbank
Geoffrey Okamoto, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs; Former First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Philippa Sigl-Glöckner, Founder, Dezernat Zukunft 

MODERATED BY
Martin Mühleisen, Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council; Former Chief of Staff, International Monetary Fund 

Paper launch: The International Role of the Euro and the Dollar
Forever in the lead?
by Martin Mühleisen

11:45 am – 12:45 pm CET
1:55 – 2:00pm CET

Panel opening remarks

Josh Lipsky, Senior Director, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council

Session 3: Digital currencies

Coordination and compromise: How the US and EU can set international standards on digital assets

Candace Kelly, Chief Legal Officer, Stellar Development Foundation
Brent Neiman, Counselor to the Secretary, US Treasury
Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of Research, Bank for International Settlements
Evelien Witlox, Program Director, Digital Euro Project, European Central Bank

MODERATED BY
Annette Weisbach, Reporter, CNBC in Germany 

Paper launch: Privacy in Cross-Border Digital Currency
A Transatlantic Approach
by Giulia Fanti and Nadia Pocher

2:00 – 3:00pm CET
3:10 – 3:25pm CET

Data Deep Dive

Trade, Sanctions, and Energy
New Public Opinion Research from Morning Consult

PRESENTATION BY
Sonnet Frisbie, Managing Director, Geopolitical Risk, EMEA,
Morning Consult

Session 4: Economic statecraft

A new era in the use of sanctions and tools of statecraft

Julia Friedlander, CEO, Atlantik-Bruecke
Carla Norrlöf, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto
Daleep Singh, Former Deputy National Security Advisor, National Security Council

MODERATED BY
Frank Wiebe, Correspondent, Handelsblatt

Paper launch:
Will Economic Statecraft Threaten Western Currency Dominance?
Sanctions, Geopolitics, and the Global Monetary Order
by Carla Norrlöf

3:30 – 4:30pm CET
4:45 – 5:15pm CET

Keynote Remarks

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, EU Commission

IN CONVERSATION WITH
Annette Weisbach, Reporter, CNBC in Germany

Presented by

GeoEconomics Center

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Learn More
Atlantik-Brücke

Atlantik-Brücke

Strengthening the exchange between politics and business, Atlantik-Brücke aims to deepen cooperation between Germany, Europe and America on all levels. 

Learn more

Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Media partners

Handelsblatt Media Group
CNBC