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

Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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 Regulation
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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
Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

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

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

EconoGraphics

Apr 30, 2025

US-EU sanctions divergence would spell trouble for multinational companies

By Jesse Sucher

The fracturing of traditional alliances carries significant consequences for companies facing multijurisdictional compliance obligations, meaning an already complex situation will become more chaotic.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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Content

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2024

Don’t let the US become the only country to ban CBDCs

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

The Federal Reserve should be allowed to continue its exploration and work with US commercial banks and countries around the world to build safe global standards and faster payments.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Econographics

May 21, 2024

The Euro’s share of international transactions is likely smaller than it looks 

By Hung Tran

And the renminbi’s is larger.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2024

Bridging the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic seas would serve both European and NATO interests

By Kaush Arha, Adam Eberhardt, Paolo Messa, and George Scutaru

Strategic corridors linking Constanța, Gdańsk, and Trieste would be transformative force multipliers for European peace and prosperity.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

In the News

May 21, 2024

Donovan cited by The Moscow Times on China-Russia trade

Read the full article here.

China Economic Sanctions

In the News

May 21, 2024

Bauerle Danzman quoted by Council on Foreign Relations on Nippon Steel-US Steel CFIUS review

Read the full article here.

Financial Regulation International Markets

In the News

May 21, 2024

Webster quoted in the Guardian, Globe and Mail, and Die Zeit on the Xi-Putin meeting
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Econographics

May 21, 2024

Russia Sanctions Database: May 2024

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Ryan Murphy, and Alessandra Magazzino

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 the News

May 20, 2024

Lipsky quoted by Politico on pending US CBDC legislation

Read the full newsletter here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Global China

May 17, 2024

Global China Newsletter – A flurry of leader-level diplomacy

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

The fourth 2024 edition of the Global China Newsletter

China Eastern Europe

Blog Post

May 17, 2024

State of the Order: Global conflict is continuing to reshape the global order—and so is climate change

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Experts

Staff

Ryan Arant

Director, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Israel

Expert

Defne Arslan

Senior Director, Atlantic Council In Turkey

Atlantic Council in Turkey

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Ilker Baburoglu

CEO, MedTrade

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

George Bachiashvili

CEO, Mission Gate

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Digital Policy

Millennium fellow

Ravipal Bains

Partner, McMillan LLP

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
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