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

Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

Issue Brief Apr 28, 2025

Modernizing the tools of economic statecraft to meet the challenges of today

By Lesley Chavkin, Eitan Danon, Kimberly Donovan, Andrew Gallucci, and Caroline Hill

As the current administration revisits the functions and mechanics of government, near-term steps can be taken, under existing statutory authorities, to modernize how the United States uses its economic strength to combat national security threats and promote American interests.
Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

Fast Thinking Apr 22, 2025

Is the global economy headed for a reset, recession, or both?

By Atlantic Council

The International Monetary Fund has just released its latest World Economic Outlook. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

Fast Thinking Apr 10, 2025

What to expect as Trump’s trade war zeroes in on China

By Atlantic Council

On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced that he would suspend many of his “liberation day” import tariffs—but he raised the tariff on China to 145 percent.
China Economy & Business
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

New Atlanticist Apr 7, 2025

The IMF is a good deal for the US. Here’s how Trump can help make it even more effective.

By Elizabeth Shortino

The institution provides the United States a significant source of economic leverage, helps prevent financial crises, and serves as a counterweight to China’s influence.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

New Atlanticist Mar 31, 2025

Dispatch from Hong Kong: How the ‘geoeconomic city’ is weathering global headwinds

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

From Chinese and US economic growth to stablecoin regulations, a recent visit to Hong Kong offered important insights for two Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center experts.
China Digital Currencies
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

EconoGraphics Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database: November 2024

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the restrictive economic measures Western allies have placed on Russia and evaluates whether these measures are successful in achieving the stated objectives.
China East Asia

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
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

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
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

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
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

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
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

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
Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

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

Testimony

Jun 9, 2025

Carole House testifies to House Financial Services Committee on the gaps and opportunities for digital asset regulation

By Carole House

On June 6, Senior Fellow Carole House testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, “American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: From Blueprint to a Functional Framework.”

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

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

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
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Content

Event Recap

Jun 2, 2020

Afreximbank president champions African free trade alongside COVID-19 response

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, June 2, the Africa Center hosted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), for a discussion on innovative financing amid COVID-19.

Africa Coronavirus
gtc diversity people

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 1, 2020

Shared humanity amid times of turbulence

By David Bray

This post is a call for those who have positive solutions to address these issues to reach out to the Center; we are here to amplify your voice. Please reach out to us. This post is also to re-commit the Center to six concrete actions during this time of turbulence that were already implicit to our mission and we wanted to make publicly explicit.

Civil Society Economy & Business
gtc manufacturing supply cahins and different parts

GeoTech Cues

Jun 1, 2020

Expert survey series: Supply chains and the effects of COVID-19, geopolitics, and technological innovation

By Andrea Little Limbago, Stewart Scott

For the fourth installment of the GeoTech Center’s expert survey series, we asked a range of business leaders and tech experts how COVID-19 has impacted their industry’s or enterprise’s supply chains. Significant shortages of personal protective equipment and tests have plagued hospitals, and many countries’ dependence on China quickly became evident in the initial rush to obtain supplies. Food supply chains have also been significantly disrupted--for instance, infection rates at meat packing plants are five-times greater than those in similar geographies.

Coronavirus Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Busch in The Hill: Is Trump encouraging the world’s use of national security as stealth protectionism?

By Marc L. Busch

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2020

Executive summary: The virus and global order

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel

The COVID-19 pandemic is having dramatic effects on everyday life, but its geopolitical implications could prove to be even more profound. The pandemic is exacerbating and unleashing pressure points in the global order, including intensified US-China competition, that could fundamentally reshape geopolitics.

China Coronavirus

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Couch in RealClearDefense: The imperative of talent platforms, part II

By Atlantic Council

We are moving from centralized, information technology-enabled mass production to decentralized, information technology-enabled mass personalization, and the national security implications are profound.

Defense Policy Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2020

Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era?

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed pressure points in the global order and threatens to unravel the rules-based international system. This paper examines the geopolitical implications of the pandemic by identifying key strategic shocks and tensions exacerbated by the virus. It also identifies uncertainties for the global order and provides policy recommendations for how the United States and its allies should address the pandemic.

China Coronavirus

In the News

May 30, 2020

Robert Manning in TRT World Now on the US decision to revoke Hong Kong special status

By Atlantic Council

China Coronavirus

In the News

May 30, 2020

Kroenig quoted in the Wall Street Journal on US’s response to China’s Hong Kong crackdown

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Wall Street Journal piece about the Trump administration’s decision to revoke special privileges for Hong Kong in the wake of China’s crackdown. “Matthew Kroenig, deputy director at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council in Washington, hailed Mr. Trump’s move as ‘a good […]

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Trump has escalated his confrontation with China. Here’s what that means.

By David A. Wemer

During a news conference at the White House on May 29, US President Donald J. Trump rebuked China for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and alleged violation of Hong Kong’s sovereignty. The US president argued that China’s behavior has endangered US economic interests and national security.

China Coronavirus
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Experts

Advisory Council member

Rutendo Magorimbo

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Advisory Council member

Tatiana Ellis

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business South & Central Africa

Advisory Council member

Tayte French Lutz

Global Advisor, Women for Prosperity

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business International Markets

Fellow

Colin Coleman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Tao Tan

Senior Managing Director

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

Millennium fellow

Stephen Kalin

Foreign Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal

Millennium Leadership Program

Eastern Europe Economy & Business
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Events

Online Event Tue, June 10, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic
Africa Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Renewables & Advanced Energy
Online Event Thu, June 12, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Why the UN’s Internet Governance Forum still matters twenty years on
Digital Policy Internet Internet of Things Technology & Innovation
Public Event Thu, June 12, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Beyond critical minerals: Capitalizing on the DRC’s vast opportunities
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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