Programs

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.

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Featured Analysis

Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Econographics Jun 6, 2025

The search for safe assets

By Hung Tran

The deterioration of the US fiscal outlook has put international investors, especially foreign central banks, in a quandary. There is no good alternative to US Treasuries as safe reserve assets.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

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
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Sinographs Jun 2, 2025

Hong Kong highlights China’s policy of decoupling from US financial markets

By Jeremy Mark

The political benefits of an international financial center with Chinese characteristics will outweigh the pain that decoupling inflicts on China’s private sector.
China Economy & Business
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

New Atlanticist May 27, 2025

What’s the Trump administration’s dollar strategy? It depends on who you ask.

By Alisha Chhangani

Within the White House, there appear to be competing and fractured views of the dollar’s role. This dissonance could result in harm to the currency’s long-term dominance.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Issue Brief Jun 6, 2025

How Japanese economic statecraft has shifted from promotion to protection

By Charles Lichfield

Japan is in a geopolitically challenging neighborhood and is witnessing the basic tenets of its foreign policy—from alignment with the United States to fostering a rules-based environment—come under unprecedented stress.
East Asia Economic Sanctions
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

New Atlanticist Jun 6, 2025

Even as courts step in, Trump still has plenty of tariff options. US trading partners should intensify negotiations.

By Brian Janovitz

Section 301 may entail more work for the White House, but it could provide a relatively straightforward pathway to broad-based tariffs.
Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

In-Depth Research

In the News Nov 15, 2024

Avoiding Entanglement: G20 Responses in a Taiwan Crisis report cited by the Wall Street Journal on how China would respond to trade restrictions from the West

Read the full article here
Brazil China
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Report Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.
Conflict Israel
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Report Oct 9, 2024

End of the line: The cost of faltering reforms

By Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center and Rhodium Group

The China Pathfinder project examines whether China’s economy is converging or diverging with the world’s leading open market economies.
China Digital Policy
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Issue Brief Sep 20, 2024

Toward a financial inclusion agenda for the global majority

By Nicole Goldin

Policymakers, investors, and innovators must advance a new financial inclusion agenda designed for the global majority.
Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Report Sep 9, 2024

Sharing the post carbon economy means building a resilient EV supply chain

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman

In this report Sarah Bauerle Danzman advances the policy discussion by compiling trade, investment, and EV industrial policy data across the G20, and offers six recommendations to the G20 to build a resilient EV supply chain.
Brazil China
Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

Report Jun 7, 2024

Reconstructing Ukraine at war: The journey to prosperity starts now

By John E. Herbst, Olga Khakova, Charles Lichfield

Rebuilding the Ukrainian economy after Russia’s full-scale invasion will be a monumental task. Reconstruction can’t wait for peace and must be a well-coordinated, inclusive process.
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Read the latest from the GeoEconomics Center

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2025

April, July, now August: Our expert guide to Trump’s latest tariff moves

By Atlantic Council experts

“Liberation Day” was nearly ninety days ago, and now the deadline for many nations to negotiate a trade deal and avoid US tariffs is extended to next month. Atlantic Council experts explain what’s behind the moving calendar.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
Stablecoins

Fintech Frontlines

Jul 8, 2025

Stablecoins are trending, but what frictions and risks are getting overlooked?

By Ashley Lannquist

Stablecoin usage is complex for consumers, and large-scale adoption could introduce new challenges for financial stability and regulatory oversight.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Econographics

Jul 7, 2025

Building BRICS

By Bart Piasecki

Fifteen years after its founding, BRICS has evolved into a formidable counterweight to Western dominance in global economic governance. Yet despite its growing influence, the bloc’s ability to translate bold rhetoric into concrete results remains uncertain.

Brazil China
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Content

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford on BBC: Ukraine and the EU oil embargo

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford was interviewed on BBC Newsnight about Ukraine and the EU oil embargo. More about our expert

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Jun 1, 2022

Do countries need freedom to achieve prosperity?

By Dan Negrea, Joseph Lemoine, Matthew Kroenig, Joel Kesselbrenner

The Freedom Index and Prosperity Index are two separate indexes that rank one hundred and seventy-four countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity.

Civil Society Corruption

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 1, 2022

Experts react: Biden’s new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

By Atlantic Council

Introduced during Biden’s first Asian tour in Japan earlier this week, the Indo-Pacific Framework, or IPEF, is a US-led framework for an economic partnership between members of the Quad along with  Brunei, Indonesia,  Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and New Zealand. The framework is a means for the countries to solidify their relationship and engage in economic and trade matters concerning the Indo-Pacific region. The IPEF comes five years after the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and is seen as a means to counter China’s dominance in the region and reassert American influence.    

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2022

Russia’s war on global food security

By Anders Åslund

Russia’s war on Ukraine has sparked sea changes in global politics on a historic scale. As the West grapples with how to move forward, addressing Russia’s culpability in exploiting a global food crisis—and mitigating the damage—is essential.

Central Europe Crisis Management

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Diversify the bilateral agenda

By Maria Claudia Lacouture

Overcoming Colombia’s security challenges will require investment, job creation, and a strong social agenda. The United States should play a key role in this endeavor.

Colombia Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Make bold bets

By Luis Alberto Moreno

Colombia and the United States are uniquely positioned to enjoy an exceptional commercial partnership. Achieving this will require a level of ambition, coordination, and commitment comparable to what enabled Plan Colombia.

Colombia Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Invest in peace

By Howard G. Buffett

Colombia is poised to prove to the world that it will be known for the peace it has brokered at home rather than the conflict endured for fifty years. This requires an enormous investment in development and close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure these commitments meet the needs of the people most affected.

Colombia Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Improve productivity

By Rosario Córdoba

Colombia must grow at high and sustained rates to increase economic and social development. Improving productivity would lead to increased growth, sustainability, equality, and inclusion.

Colombia Economy & Business

News

May 31, 2022

Atlantic Council Names Dr. Racha Helwa Director of empowerME Initiative

By Atlantic Council

Senior economist deepens bench to advance the Atlantic Council’s work unlocking the economic and human potential of the Middle East.

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

May 31, 2022

Dr Chhibber on economic planning in India

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India
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Experts

Advisory Council member

Epsy Campbell Barr

Former Vice President, Costa Rica

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Inclusive Growth Women

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Associate Director, empowerME

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Fellow

Ridhika Batra

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Sarah Bauerle Danzman

Resident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Millennium fellow

Hussein Al Baya

Partner, Wildcard

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business
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Events

Public Event Thu, July 10, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on the future of US-Africa trade and security

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau joins the Atlantic Council while he is in Washington, DC for a summit between West African leaders and US President Donald Trump. 

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense Trade and tariffs
Online Event Fri, July 11, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

What comes next for transatlantic trade
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union Trade and tariffs
Flagship Event Tue, September 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union