In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Yuyun Zhan invites Alicia Garcia Herrero and Ana Krstinovska to delve into China's expanding footprint in the Western Balkans and its implications for Europe's economic security and strategic autonomy. They explore the region's strategic importance and analyze how China's developments in the region impact the EU's neighborhood policy and economic security.

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, host Rebecca Christie speaks with Bruegel’s first Director and co-founder, Jean Pisani-Ferry, Senior fellow and co-founder Nicolas Véron, and Board member Caroline de Gruyter on the occasion of the think tank’s 20th anniversary. Their conversation takes us on a journey that spans fateful lunches and parliamentary dramas, choosing a location and funding model, and key inspirations from across the pond. Aside from being the story of Bruegel, it doubles as a story of Europe: how have different parts of the continent worked together over the two decades? What was the gap that Bruegel filled? And finally, did you know that one works for a think-tank if one wishes to change the world? 

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with MEP Aura Salla and Bruegel Senior Fellow Fiona Scott Morton to discuss the EU’s evolving tech regulation landscape. The conversation spans critical issues such as the Digital Markets Act, GDPR enforcement, data sovereignty, and the EU’s quest to foster innovation while curbing the dominance of global tech giants. With insights on strategic autonomy, market harmonisation, and the balance between regulation and innovation, the speakers highlight the challenges and opportunities in making the EU a competitive global tech player.

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.

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites Heather Grabbe and Thomas Viegas to explore the intersection of biodiversity and economic policy. The discussion highlights the critical importance of integrating nature conservation into financial frameworks. The guests delve into systemic risks posed by biodiversity loss, the role of public and private finance, and strategies to address harmful subsidies. They also emphasize the necessity of aligning economic systems with natural limits to ensure sustainable development and long-term resilience.

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.