The Economic Statecraft Initiative

Housed within the GeoEconomics Center, the Economic Statecraft Initiative (ESI) publishes leading-edge research and analysis on sanctions and the use of economic power to achieve foreign policy objectives and protect national security interests. Coercive and positive economic statecraft measures are increasingly used by the United States, European Union, and their allies and partners to address global challenges.

ESI convenes public events and private roundtable discussions to explore challenges and opportunities, providing policymakers and the private sector with unbiased data-driven analysis and actionable recommendations to shape economic statecraft solutions to global challenges.

The Economic Statecraft Initiative resides within the GeoEconomics Center, a translation hub at the nexus of economics, finance, and foreign policy with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

Research and Analysis

Testimony

On February 20, 2025, 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.

Featured Report

The economic statecraft landscape is becoming more complex as transatlantic partners increasingly leverage economic power to counter transnational threats. There is a growing need to understand how these tools are used, by whom, and when, as well as their intended and real impacts worldwide.

Transcript

Jan 16, 2025

The world needs a common vision for the responsible use of economic statecraft tools

By Daleep Singh

At an Atlantic Council event, US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh outlined five principles for restrictive economic statecraft.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2025

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2024

By Frederick Kempe

These articles, reports, initiatives, and convenings represent the best of the Atlantic Council’s work in 2024 to shape the global future together with allies and partners.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Econographics

Dec 20, 2024

A policy blueprint for the Trump administration’s outbound investment screening regime

By Kit Conklin

As the Trump administration enters its second term, addressing economic and military threats posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will remain a cornerstone of its foreign policy and legislative agenda. One area primed for action is the expansion of outbound investment restrictions targeting companies and securities associated with the PRC’s military.

Americas China

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2024

By the numbers: The global economy in 2024

By GeoEconomics Center experts

Our GeoEconomics Center experts take you inside the numbers that mattered—including many you may have missed—in 2024.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2024

To help Georgians, the West must drive a wedge between Georgia and the Russia-China-Iran camp

By Maia Nikoladze

Despite strong support among Georgians for their country to join the European Union, the governing Georgian Dream party has taken big steps to break with the West in favor of the “axis of evasion.”

China European Union

Lexicon

Economic Statecraft Lexicon

A comprehensive resource designed to clarify and enhance understanding of key terms and concepts in the economic statecraft field. The Lexicon represents a collaborative effort to support more effective communication and informed decision-making on economic statecraft.

Events

Transatlantic Forum

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is our annual flagship conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, and launches cutting-edge research and analysis on transatlantic alignment on economic statecraft.

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Staff

Fellows