The Sound of Economics

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie is joined by James Baxter, Ambassador, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, and Ignacio García Bercero, a Bruegel Non-resident fellow and former EU trade official, to discuss the 30-year journey of the World Trade Organization. Together, they examine the achievements and crises that have shaped the WTO, delve into the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, and explore opportunities for reform in dispute settlement, digital trade, and sustainable development.

How will the EU springboard from the tumult of 2024 to meet the challenges ahead? In this episode of the Sound of Economics, Bruegel director Jeromin Zettelmeyer and senior fellows Heather Grabbe and André Sapir discuss the year that was with host Rebecca Christie. Industrial policy, tensions with China and the U.S., and green transition’s immense financing needs all figure in to Europe’s quest to become more competitive. Will the EU be prepared for the next crisis? Browse through Bruegel's highlights of 2024, a curated collection of our research in the past year.

Heather Grabbe, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel, and Thomas Viegas, Nature strategy lead at Aviva, explore the vital connection between biodiversity and finance. They discuss the systemic risks of biodiversity loss and highlight the integration of nature conservation into business strategies. The duo emphasizes the urgency of reforming harmful subsidies and aligning economic frameworks with natural limits. They also touch on innovative financial tools needed for sustainability and the high socio-economic costs of ecosystem degradation, advocating for the intrinsic value of nature.

The EU’s Global Gateway Initiative aims to mobilize €300 billion for global infrastructure by 2027, but how does it compare to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Host Yuyun Zhan discusses this with Alicia García-Herrero and Romana Vlahutin. They explore the initiative’s origins, progresses and challenges, and how Europe can sharpen its strategy to balance development goals with economic interests. This episode is part of the ZhōngHuá Mundus series of The Sound of Economics. ZhōngHuá Mundus is a newsletter by Bruegel, bringing you monthly analysis of China in the world, as seen from Europe. Sign up now to receive it in your mailbox!

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites Johanna Breuer, Emmanuel Mourlon-Druol and Federico Fabbrini to delve into the intricate dynamics of European public goods and how to pay for them. Together, they explore the historical, legal, and political foundations of joint European financing—tracing its evolution from the post-WWII period to recent crises like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Relevant publication: Mourlon-Druol, E. (2024) ‘An uphill struggle: a long-term perspective on the European public goods debate’, Policy Brief 24/2024, Bruegel Beetsma, R. and M. Buti (2024) ‘Designing conditionality in the supply of European public goods’, Working Paper 20/2024, Bruegel

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites Heather Grabbe, Luca Léry Moffat and Janez Potočnik to talk about turning Europe’s economy circular by making resources go further. They discuss the environmental and economic cases for Europe to use fewer resources, and why moving to a circular economy is essential in the fight against climate change. They also discuss examples of companies that have found ways of reducing waste, and the reasons why more firms don’t make resource efficient decisions. Relevant publication: Grabbe, H. and L. Moffat (2024) ‘A European circular single market for economic security and competitiveness’, Policy Brief 20/2024, Bruegel

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Yuyun Zhan invites Alicia García-Herrero, Théo Storella and Moritz Rudolf to delve into China's evolving role in the United Nations and its broader global governance strategy. They explore the initiatives shaping China's influence in the United Nations, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and discuss the implications of these efforts on the multilateral order. They also discuss the challenges posed by geopolitical fragmentation and the role of other global actors, including Europe and the United States, in shaping the future of international institutions. Relevant research and event: Garcia-Herrero, A., T. Storella and P. Weil (2024) ‘China’s influence in the United Nations: words and deeds’, Working Paper 19/2024, Bruegel Shifts in China's foreign policy: a closer look at its role in the United Nations, Bruegel event, 12 November 2024 This episode is part of the ZhōngHuá Mundus series of The Sound of Economics. ZhōngHuá Mundus is a newsletter by Bruegel, bringing you monthly analysis of China in the world, as seen from Europe. Sign up now to receive it in your mailbox!

9 November 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall - a pivotal moment that led to German reunification. In this special episode of The Sound of Economics, we step beyond the realm of economic policy to explore the personal and historical impact of reunification. Rebecca Christie is joined by Bruegel fellows Marek Dabrowski, Guntram Wolff, and Georg Zachmann. Our speakers share family stories and experiences from both sides of the Iron Curtain, shedding light on the contrasts between the Eastern and Western blocs. They discuss restrictions on travel and education, economic disparities, and the challenges of daily life - from food shortages to wage gaps. Moving forward, the conversation delves into the topic of merging two distinct economies and societies. Join us for an insightful journey through history, as we reflect on the complexities and triumphs of a reunited Germany. Read the special historical analysis by Marek Dabrowski, Europe’s 35-year journey since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Heather Grabbe is a Bruegel fellow focusing on economic policy and climate, Fiona M. Scott Morton specializes in competition enforcement and regulation, and Guntram B. Wolff analyzes European defense strategies. They discuss the expected shifts in U.S.-European relations following the elections. Key topics include Europe's security reliance on the U.S. amid the Ukraine conflict, potential impacts on climate policy, and how Europe's innovation landscape may benefit from U.S. developments. They also delve into the complexities of accountability in U.S. politics and the evolving UK-US trade dynamic.

Ben McWilliams, a clean technology data analyst at Bruegel, and Marie Tompa, a Senior Analyst at Rhodium focusing on clean tech investments, discuss the solar energy transition. They explore how investment data can significantly influence public policy, particularly in the EU and US. The conversation highlights a surge in US clean technology investments post-Inflation Reduction Act, and the need for a European energy data agency to enhance transparency. Key insights reveal the vital role of solar energy in achieving climate goals and the competitive landscape of the clean energy market.