

Geoeconomic Competition
Francesca Ghiretti
Welcome to "Geoeconomic Competition", a thought-provoking podcast diving deep into the intricacies of geoeconomics. In each episode, Francesca Ghiretti engages with other economic security and geoeconomics experts to navigate the intricate and often hidden manoeuvres of economic security and of global economic power plays. From the growing set of policies to the changes in globalisation, we explore how countries leverage their economic strengths, engage in trade wars, and form strategic alliances to gain geopolitical advantages. Logo by Daniele Saccani
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 16, 2024 • 38min
Let's talk about Northvolt with Cecilia Trasi
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Cecilia Trasi, Research Analyst at Bruegel. The episode analyses the case of Swedish battery manufacturing Northvolt. Why it was/is the big European hope in battery manufacturing? What led it to file for bankruptcy? What can Europe learn from this?

Nov 20, 2024 • 33min
Trump 2.0 - China policy with Barath Harithas
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Barath Harithas, Senior fellow in the Economics Program and Scholl Chair for International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The episode analyses the elements of (potential) continuity and the differences in the approach to China of the first and second Trump Presidency. It dives into tariffs and export controls, the appointments made so far and recommendations of things to keep an eye on.

Nov 11, 2024 • 26min
The Economy of the second Trump Presidency with Matthew Goodman
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Matthew Goodman, distinguished fellow and director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where he also leads RealEcon: Reimagining American Economic Leadership, a CFR initiative that explores the U.S. role in the international economy. Based on Trump's first term as President, the developments of the past years and the announcements done during the campaign, the episode delivers an early assessment of the potential economic policies of the second Trump Presidency, and what could be their impact on US economy and on partners.

Nov 5, 2024 • 22min
The EU-China (non)Trade War with Ignacio Garcia Bercero
In this special edition of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Ignacio Garcia Bercero, former DG Trade and Bruegel non-resident Senior Fellow. The episode dives into the EU's tariffs on imports of EVs from China, asking how we got to this point, why EVs were the main concern, what is the future trajectory of the dispute between the EU and China and whether the label of Trade War is justified at this point.

Oct 30, 2024 • 37min
Taiwan's semiconductor challenge with Jeremy Chih Cheng Chang
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Dr. Jeremy Chih Cheng Chang, CEO of the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET) in Taiwan. The episode takes a wide overview of Taiwan's position as the semiconductor factory of the world, how it got here, what challenges it faces and what is the future trajectory for the industry and for Taiwan. Among the topics discussed: Competition with China, the relationship with the US and challenges related to the opening of new plants in the US, Japan and the EU.

Oct 15, 2024 • 31min
De-dollarisation: myth or reality with Nicola Bilotta
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Nicola Bilotta, coordinator of the EU-Supervisory Digital Finance Academy (EU-SDFA), Research Associate at the Florence School of Banking and Finance and Associate Fellow at Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI). The episode unpacks the debate on de-dollarisation. How does a currency become international and why do we need an international currency? What are the ongoing and future trends? Ultimately, is de-dollarisation happing?

Sep 23, 2024 • 29min
The Geoeconomist with Mikael Wigell
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti talks with Mikael Wigell, Research Director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and co-founder of the Helsinki Geoeconomics Week and the Geoeconomics Society. The episode touches upon the debate over geoeconomics, economic security and economic statecraft. It then engages with the question of who is a geoeconomist.

Sep 2, 2024 • 27min
Chinese greenfield investments in the EU with Gregor Sebastian
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti has a chat with Gregor Sebastian, Senior Analyst at Rhodium Group. The episode provides an overview of the current situation and engages with the debate on the advantages and risks of Chinese greenfield investments in the EU EV sector. Articles cited:https://ip-quarterly.com/en/solution-eus-chinese-greenfield-investments-conundrumhttps://rhg.com/research/aint-no-duty-high-enough/https://rhg.com/research/pole-position-chinese-ev-investments-boom-amid-growing-political-backlash/

7 snips
Jul 25, 2024 • 26min
Third Plenum implications for European businesses with Alicia Garcia-Herrero
Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, discusses the Third Plenum and its implications for European businesses. Key topics include reforms in China, fiscal risks, and the impact on European companies in sectors like EVs and green technologies.

Jul 15, 2024 • 33min
Economic security is not an exception - learning from the past with Mona Paulsen
In this episode of Geoeconomic Competition, Francesca Ghiretti engages with Dr Mona Paulsen, Assistant Professor in International Economic Law at the London School of Economics (LSE). Starting from her article titled The Past, Present and Potential of Economic Security, the episode looks at the history of economic security to show that economic security is not an exceptional state of the globalised economy nor should it be treated as something exceptional in the policymaking of governments.


