Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2020

Economic and financial risks after the pandemic

By Hung Tran

While huge fiscal and monetary support measures from governments have been necessary to avoid deeper damages being done to the economy and financial system by the pandemic, those actions—especially keeping interest rates low for long—have also reinforced many known areas of inefficiencies, imbalances, and vulnerabilities that will make the economy and financial system fragile and prone to crises going forward.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Issue Brief

Sep 28, 2020

Central America Economic Reactivation in a COVID-19 World: Finding Sustainable Opportunities in Uncertain Times

By María Eugenia Brizuela de Ávila, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, María Fernanda Bozmoski, and Domingo Sadurní

By: María Eugenia Brizuela de Ávila, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, María Fernanda Bozmoski, and Domingo Sadurní Contributing authors: Enrique Bolaños and Salvador Paiz Foreword As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, countries around the world face an unprecedented test: concurrent public health and economic crises coupled with the resulting political and social reverberations. In Central America, the […]

Americas Central America

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2020

Don’t believe the SWIFT China sanctions hype

By Brian O’Toole

A major Chinese state-owned bank, the Bank of China (BOC), in July urged its banks to switch away from SWIFT toward a domestic messaging system because of the threat of US sanctions. Don’t take the warning at face value however, as Beijing’s primary motivation is to promote its own domestic system, rather than any real fear of a SWIFT cut-off.

China Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2020

New US Hong Kong tax treaty suspension sends important signal, despite the costs

By Barbara C. Matthews

Eliminating the favorable tax treatment and requiring “made in China” labels at least provide a visible and concrete mechanism to articulate objections regarding Chinese policy without exerting significant economic pain on the people of Hong Kong, China, or the United States

China Economic Sanctions

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2020

“One world, two systems” takes shape during the pandemic

By Hung Tran

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fragmentation of the postwar world order. Its most poignant manifestation is in an intensifying competition between the United States and China for political and strategic influence. In essence, the post-Cold War globalized economic order has gradually morphed into a “one world, two systems” configuration, edging toward a new Cold War.

China Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Sep 8, 2020

Credit rating agencies could resolve African debt impasse

By Vasuki Shastry and Jeremy Mark

Credit rating agencies should offer a nuanced understanding of the unique needs of African nations. The G20 and global regulators have the power to persuade international investors that a little forbearance could save lives and livelihoods

Africa Financial Regulation

Event Recap

Sep 3, 2020

Expert panel responds to incidents of North Korean sanctions evasion in the DRC

By Africa Center

On Thursday, September 3, the Africa Center hosted a virtual panel to discuss the latest report published by The Sentry: Overt Affairs: How North Korean Businessmen Busted Sanctions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Sentry’s Director of Illicit Finance Policy Ms. Hilary Mossberg provided opening remarks alongside Africa Center Director of Programs and Studies Ms. Bronwyn Bruton, […]

Africa Corruption

New Atlanticist

Sep 3, 2020

The ‘Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act’ may harm US tech leadership

By Tianjiu Zuo

There is certainly a case to be made for increased financial transparency from Chinese companies for the safety of US investors. But this may come at greater cost to US interests, with the United States becoming more discriminatory towards business, less competitive in emerging markets, and more susceptible to harmful economic retaliation.

China Financial Regulation

Digital currencies

Aug 25, 2020

Advanced economies under pressure in the central bank digital currency race

By Barbara C. Matthews, Hung Tran

Advanced economy central banks are also actively engaged in CBDC research and development efforts. But as guardians of global reserve currencies, their approaches will necessarily be more deliberate and cautious than Beijing’s aggressiveness.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Aug 24, 2020

China’s Digital Currency Electronic Payment Project reveals the good and the bad of central bank digital currencies

By Hung Tran, Barbara C. Matthews

The development of the DCEP has revealed the significant advantages and potential drawbacks for both China’s digital currency project and the potential for widespread central bank digital currencies around the world.

China Digital Currencies

Experts

Events