The podcast explores the concept of EU economic security, trade disruptions, and policy recommendations. Topics covered include securitization of economic policy, protecting economic interests, diversification, industrial policies, and the lack of incentives for companies to tackle risks in certain countries.
Diversification and industrial policies are crucial in strengthening economic security in the EU.
Effective policies addressing economic coercion and assessing trade dependencies require better data and a coordinated European response.
Deep dives
Understanding Economic Security: Exploring Trade Disruptions and Resilience
The podcast episode delves into the concept of economic security, particularly in relation to the European Union's economic relationship with China. The discussion highlights the various dimensions of economic security, including the securitization of economic policy, defense against hostile foreign actions in the trade space, and the need for economic resiliency. The experts explore trade disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions and the risks associated with highly concentrated production networks. They emphasize the importance of diversification and the need for policies that promote industrial resilience. The podcast also addresses the challenges of dual-use technology, the role of import and export dependencies, and the need for better data to assess and improve economic security.
Identifying Risks and Strengthening Resilience in Trade Networks
The podcast episode discusses the statistical analysis conducted to identify high-risk trade dependencies and potential disruptions. The analysis focuses on imports and the degree of production concentration, taking into account the customized nature of certain goods. The experts draw attention to the need for better information and data on trade interdependencies to enhance risk assessment. They emphasize the importance of diversification, both in terms of suppliers and market access, as a means to mitigate risk. The podcast also highlights the role of policy interventions, such as industrial policies and measures to incentivize companies to internalize risk and disclose information. It emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach at the European level and the consideration of market failures in addressing economic security challenges.
Addressing Economic Coercion and Ensuring Technological Sovereignty
The episode explores the challenges posed by economic coercion and the potential consequences for national security. It highlights the targeting of companies and particular industries by foreign governments and the need for a nuanced response. The experts discuss the difficulties in regulating economic coercion and the potential for retaliatory measures. They stress the importance of analyzing production capacities, export dependencies, and the role of technology in determining the vulnerability of industries. The podcast further emphasizes the need for policy measures that ensure diversification, encourage technological sovereignty, and address the effects of economic coercion on targeted industries.
Policy Recommendations for Enhancing Economic Security
In this final section, the experts present policy recommendations to strengthen economic security. They suggest diversifying suppliers and markets, opening new trade agreements, and ensuring access to critical raw materials. They advocate for a combination of ex-ante policies, including industrial policies to support strategic sectors, while also addressing the effects of economic coercion. The experts propose the use of incentives, such as reporting obligations and insurance, to encourage companies to internalize and mitigate risk. They also call for better data collection and analysis to assess trade dependencies and design effective policies. Finally, the podcast concludes with a discussion on the potential impact of the U.S. election and the need for a coordinated and credible European response to economic security challenges.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with Isabelle Mejean and Niclas Poitiers to discuss EU economic security. They start with the various definitions of the term, how their research fits into the current knowledge gap and they give policy recommendations on how to strengthen economic security in the bloc in areas like diversification, industrial policy, anti-coercion instruments and so on.
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