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.

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2024

To counter the Axis of Evasion, the US must tackle third-country procurement networks

By Kimberly Donovan

Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasing their coordination with illicit procurement networks through third countries.

China Economic Sanctions

EconoGraphics

Nov 4, 2024

How data control is driving a new US-China economic divide 

By Jesse Sucher

China’s increased restrictions on corporate and financial data make it difficult for the United States and allies to enforce economic statecraft tools like sanctions and supply chain safeguards.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Oct 31, 2024

Financial sanctions can disrupt fentanyl flows to the United States

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Mikael Pir-Budagyan, and Grace Kim

Fentanyl is one of the leading causes of death among young and middle-aged Americans. Financial sanctions should be used more frequently by the US government to tactically disrupt the trade of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.

China Economic Sanctions

Experts react

Oct 27, 2024

Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?

By Atlantic Council experts

After Saturday’s contested election in Georgia, our experts share their thoughts on whether the ruling Georgian Dream party will pull Tbilisi further toward Russia and how the West should respond.

Elections Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Sep 25, 2024

What the next administration should do to ensure US economic and national security

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The next administration must protect sensitive US technology, drive the energy transition, and safeguard the global financial system.

China Economic Sanctions

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