Future is Blue

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, to explore how the eurozone’s periphery—Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and Italy—has evolved since the sovereign debt crisis. They discuss the different causes of the crisis across these countries, the key reforms that followed, and how structural improvements in labour markets and fiscal policy are now driving stronger growth compared to core eurozone economies. The conversation also covers investor confidence, competitiveness challenges, and the critical question of whether this convergence trend is sustainable or just temporary.You can subscribe here to the Future is Blue newsletter.

In this episode of Future is Blue, host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Brad Setser (Council on Foreign Relations) and Miguel Ángel González Simón (Funcas) to unpack the global implications of President Trump’s newly announced 10% universal tariff on all imports — and an additional 20% duty on EU goods. The discussion explores the political motivations behind the move, the flawed logic of "reciprocal" tariffs, and the potential economic fallout for Europe, China, and the US. The episode also dives into Europe’s strategic options, from targeted retaliation to strengthening the single market and forging new alliances.Subscribe to our newsletter for free in this link.

In this Future is Blue episode, Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform discusses his article Heavy Industry is Europe’s Trump Card. We explore how Europe’s manufacturing strength can drive defence rearmament, the potential of the EU’s REARM initiative, and the challenges of financing and coordination. Sander also highlights the UK’s role post-Brexit and stresses that now is a defining moment for Europe to leverage its industrial and financial power for security and resilience. 

The latest Future is Blue podcast explores Germany’s historic fiscal shift following the recent elections. Christian Odendahl (The Economist) and Raymond Torres (Funcas Europe) analyze the CDU-SPD coalition’s €500 billion investment package, which marks a break from two decades of fiscal conservatism. They discuss its implications for Germany’s economic recovery, European defense policy, and EU fiscal rules. With Berlin poised to play a more decisive role in Europe, the conversation delves into the challenges of implementing this bold policy shift and how it may reshape Germany’s leadership within the EU. Listen to the full episode here.

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Antonin Bergeaud, Associate Professor at HEC Paris, about Europe’s struggle to stay competitive in a world increasingly dominated by the U.S. and China. They discuss the Draghi report’s key recommendations, Europe’s lag in innovation, the impact of regulatory fragmentation, and what the EU must do to regain its economic edge. With Trump back in the White House and global trade dynamics shifting, is Europe’s response bold enough—or is it falling behind?

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Urabayen dives into the implications of the U.S.'s evolving trade policies under a renewed Trump administration. Joined by Arancha González Laya, Dean of Sciences Po and former Spanish Foreign Minister, and Raymond Torres, Europe Director at Funcas, the discussion explores how the EU can navigate its shifting relationship with the U.S., balance cooperation and rivalry, and strengthen resilience through strategic alliances, energy independence, and capital market reforms. With insights on multilateralism, defense, and global partnerships, this episode offers a roadmap for Europe in a time of economic and geopolitical turbulence.

In this podcast episode we take a deep dive into the key economic lessons Europe has learned in 2024. From the structural challenges facing the eurozone, such as sluggish growth and energy market shifts, to Spain’s surprising economic resilience and the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, we explore how Europe is navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. Joined by Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, we also look ahead to 2025, discussing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Europe’s economy.

In this episode of Future is Blue, we explore the challenges facing the EU’s industrial production and trade relationships in an increasingly fragmented global economy. Joined by Aslak Berg, Research Fellow at the Center for European Reform, and Miguel Ángel González Simón, economist at Funcas, we discuss Europe’s vulnerabilities, from energy dependence and export reliance to the diverging trajectories of Germany and Spain. The conversation also delves into the EU’s critical trade relationships with the U.S. and China, highlighting strategic risks and opportunities, and concludes with actionable insights on how the EU can adapt through diversification, domestic investment, and deeper integration.

In the latest Future is Blue episode, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Senior Fellow at Bruegel and Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, and Raymond Torres, Director of Funcas Europe, to discuss the potential consequences of Donald Trump’s return to the White House on EU-U.S. trade relations. The conversation explores the risks of sweeping tariffs, the vulnerability of key industries like Germany’s automotive sector, and the broader implications for European economic resilience. The guests also highlight opportunities for deeper EU integration, strategic alignment with the U.S. on China, and diversification of global trade partnerships to navigate the challenges ahead.

Despite the common perception of migrants as a drain on resources, OECD data reveals that migrants contribute positively to public finances in most advanced economies. In a recent Future is Blue interview, Ana Damas de Matos, OECD senior policy analyst, explained how migrants support aging populations, add to the labor market, and contribute more in taxes and social security than they receive in services. With effective integration policies, countries can further boost the economic benefits of migration, proving that migrants play a vital role in sustaining and strengthening host economies.