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

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report launch announced in Semafor Principals newsletter

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
“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report launch announced in Semafor Principals newsletter

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
“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report launch announced in Semafor Principals newsletter

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

In the News

Apr 2, 2024

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report launch announced in Semafor Principals newsletter

Read the newsletter here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Apr 2, 2024

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report featured in South China Morning Post

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Report

Apr 1, 2024

Retaliation and resistance: China’s economic statecraft in a Taiwan crisis

By Logan Wright, Agatha Kratz, Charlie Vest, and Matt Mingey

New research on Chinese resilience to and potential against G7 sanctions in the event of a Taiwan Crisis.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 1, 2024

“Retaliation and Resilience: China’s Economic Statecraft in a Taiwan Crisis” report launch announced in Politico National Security Daily newsletter

Read the newsletter here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 30, 2024

Donovan and Nikoladze cited by Yahoo Finance on oil trade between China, Russia, and Iran

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 29, 2024

Donovan and Nikoladze featured by Business Insider on illicit oil trade between Russia, China, and Iran

Read the full article here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Mar 29, 2024

Nikoladze and Bhusari cited in Deloitte 2024 Oil and Gas Industry Outlook on dedollarization of Russia-China trade

Read the full report here.

China Financial Regulation

In the News

Mar 28, 2024

Khakova quoted in Energy Intelligence on Russian energy sanctions
Energy Markets & Governance Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Issue Brief

Mar 26, 2024

Sanctions have become a tool of first resort. But enforcement needs upgraded and updated resources.

By David Mortlock and Alex Zerden

Enforcement remains a critical but underresourced element of economic sanctions.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion United States and Canada

In the News

Mar 25, 2024

Goldwyn quoted in S&P Global Commodity Insights on Venezuelan sanctions
Energy & Environment Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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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