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

Russia Sanctions Database cited in ZN.UA on the effects of sanctions on Russian economy

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
Russia Sanctions Database cited in ZN.UA on the effects of sanctions on Russian economy

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
Russia Sanctions Database cited in ZN.UA on the effects of sanctions on Russian economy

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

Dec 5, 2023

Russia Sanctions Database cited in ZN.UA on the effects of sanctions on Russian economy

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

In the News

Dec 2, 2023

Taiwan report, Tran, Bauerle Danzman, and Nikoladze cited in CNAS report “No Winners in This Game”

Read the full report here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Nov 16, 2023

EU and US officials break down their deepening trade cooperation

By Daniel Hojnacki

US and EU officials discussed trade, supply chain resilience, sanctions, and other crucial aspects of the transatlantic relationship.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Nov 14, 2023

Report “Sanctioning China in a Taiwan crisis: Scenarios and risks” cited in the 2023 Annual Report to Congress of the US-China Economic and Security Commission

Read the full report here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Nov 14, 2023

Bauerle Danzman cited in 2023 Annual Report to Congress of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission

Read the full report here.

China Financial Regulation

In the News

Nov 14, 2023

Khakova quoted in iNews on the G7 coalition’s failure to stop Russia’s shadow fleet
Energy & Environment Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Nov 14, 2023

Nikoladze, Meng, and Yin cited in the 2023 Annual Report to Congress of the US-China Economic and Security Commission on China mitigation of Russia sanctions

Read the full report here.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Nov 10, 2023

Webster cited by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in their 2023 Annual Report to Congress
China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2023

Rebooting the Russian oil price cap

By Brian O’Toole, Olga Khakova, Tomasz Wlostowski, and Charles Lichfield

Atlantic Council experts weigh in on how to improve the price cap on Russian oil imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Nov 5, 2023

Webster in Politico’s National Security Daily newsletter on China’s support for Russia and its effect on the Ukrainian counteroffensive
China Eastern Europe
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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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