Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Financial sanctions and other forms of economic coercion have become policy tools of choice for the US government to deter illegal activity by international actors or to pressure governments into reversing actions that harm US interests. Yet these instruments and their potential pitfalls are often misunderstood. Restrictive economic measures such as financial sanctions, export controls, tariffs, and investment screening can play an important role in advancing certain policy objectives, but they risk being ineffective if misapplied or poorly implemented. Policymakers must also recognize the impact of economic statecraft on the private sector, which bears many of the compliance burdens and operational costs associated with these measures.

Energy Sanctions Dashboard

This dashboard focuses on US sanctions and restrictive measures placed on crude oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela—including the unintended consequences and the lessons learned.

Econographics

Apr 17, 2025

Russia Sanctions Database

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Lize de Kruijf

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the level of coordination among Western allies in sanctioning Russian entities, individuals, vessels, and aircraft, and shows where gaps still remain.

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

Recent analysis

Miller on China’s economic recovery and upcoming US-China trade relations

Econographics Sep 16, 2025

The Supreme Court’s decision on Trump tariffs will have lasting impact on US economic statecraft

By Stephanie Connor

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the case will shape US economic policy for years to come.
Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
Miller on China’s economic recovery and upcoming US-China trade relations

New Atlanticist Mar 28, 2024

The axis of evasion: Behind China’s oil trade with Iran and Russia

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

Beijing has developed a way to import Iranian and Russian oil while bypassing the Western financial system and shipping services.
China Economy & Business
Miller on China’s economic recovery and upcoming US-China trade relations

Testimony Feb 21, 2025

Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy

By Kimberly Donovan

On February 20, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, “An Axis of Autocracy? China’s Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”
China Economy & Business

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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Content

Event Recap

Aug 14, 2020

Miller on China’s economic recovery and upcoming US-China trade relations

By Atlantic Council

On April 14, Leland Miller, nonresident senior fellow at the Asia Security Initiative, joined Yahoo Finance to talk about China’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and the future of US-China trade relations. He commented on China’s seemingly economic recovery, clarifying that the recovery on the demand side is falling behind that on the supply side. He […]

China Economy & Business

Event Recap

Aug 13, 2020

Miller talks about WeChat on Bloomberg Surveillance

By Atlantic Council

On April 13, Leland Miller, nonresident senior fellow at the Asia Security Initiative, spoke with Bloomberg’s Jonathan Ferro and Lisa Abramowicz on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” Miller commented that the White House is not prepared for the fallout a WeChat ban might bring to US companies, and that Xi has overplayed his cards on Huawei and China […]

China Cybersecurity

In the News

Aug 10, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander Quoted in Financial Times on Trump’s Campaign Against Beijing

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Aug 9, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Hill on the arms embargo on Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Aug 7, 2020

Dagres joins the Monocle’s “The Briefing” to discuss UN arms embargo
Arms Control Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2020

The curious case of the US Treasury and Gaz Group

By Brian O’Toole

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) very quietly issued two extensions of general licenses on July 22 related to Vladimir Putin-tied oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s Gaz Group that, while apparently going unnoticed, constitute a significant change in the sanctions on Gaz, which can now seemingly operate according to something like business as usual.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

In the News

Jul 17, 2020

Fishman interviewed on ChinaTalk about sanctions and geopolitics

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Edward Fishman joins the ChinaTalk podcast to discuss his work in sanctions and the international order.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jul 16, 2020

Slavin quoted in VOA News on international arms embargo on Iran
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2020

US opens door to Nord Stream II sanctions and transatlantic tensions

By Brian O'Toole and Daniel Fried

While nominally targeting Nord Stream II, Pompeo's sanctions announcement may pit the United States against its NATO ally Germany in a stand-off over the long-disputed project.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Germany

In the News

Jul 15, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander Quoted in Financial Times on US Threats over the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia
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Experts

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity

Fellow

Chris Brummer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Michael Carpenter

Distinguished Fellow

Eurasia Center Europe Center

Eastern Europe National Security

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Claire Chu

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese
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