Shows
The Sound of EconomicsEU-UK trade and the Trump effectIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, we look at what came out of the May 19 EU-UK summit. Host Rebecca Christie speaks with Bruegel’s Ignacio García Bercero and Heather Grabbe about the shift in post-Brexit ties between the two trading partners, what needs to be negotiated next, and how this relates to contentious transatlantic trade relations. U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of big tariffs against the EU contrasts with the cooperative approach of the London talks, which laid out a path forward in key areas like energy, fishing, youth mobility, emissions trading schemes, and animal and p...2025-05-2632 minThe Sound of EconomicsTalent grab: can the EU attract US scientists and innovators?In this episode of the Sound of Economics, we look at how Europe can attract and keep top-tier scientific researchers, especially given US political turmoil and the Trump administration’s conflicts with higher education. Host Rebecca Christie speaks with Bruegel’s Reinhilde Veugelers and Mario Mariniello, joined by Daniel Gros of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University, to discuss how the academic world is changing and what European authorities can do about it. Short-term funding incentives to attract scientists will help. But success requires long-term commitment to a research-friendly environment, such as the proposed Project Einstein initiative, to enco...2025-05-1444 minThe Sound of EconomicsGermany’s budget vs the EU: clash coming?In this episode of the Sound of Economics, we look at Germany’s budget outlook under new Chancellor Friedric Merz and whether much-needed reforms to the so-called debt brake put Berlin on a collision course with Brussels. Host Rebecca Christie is joined by Bruegel's director, Jeromin Zettelmeyer, and Bruegel non-resident fellow, Armin Steinbach, to discuss the legal and economic implications. How can the EU encourage Germany to spend more on defence and security without unraveling the new fiscal rules? Does the EU need to redo its debt safeguards again?
Relevant research:
Germany's fiscal rules dilemma, Bruegel Analysis, Armin St...2025-05-0745 minThe Sound of Economics[UPDATED] Wired for the future: building Europe’s next-gen electricity grid*We released the original podcast on 23 April 2025. As the blackout in Iberian Peninsula happened soon after, we decided to record an update on what happened there.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie talks to Bruegel energy experts Conall Heussaff and Georg Zachmann about the urgent need to upgrade and connect Europe's electricity grids. They discuss their recent paper outlining the challenges, opportunities, and necessary policy responses to modernise Europe's energy infrastructure.
Relevant publications:
Heussaff, C. and G. Zachmann (2025) ‘Upgrading Europe’s electricity grid is about more than just money’, Policy Brief 04/2025, Bruegel
McWill...2025-05-0549 minThe Sound of EconomicsEU Tech Rules: What to make of the first DMA fines?In this extra episode of The Sound of Economics, Bruegel’s Bertin Martens and Fiona M. Scott Morton explain the EU’s first fines under the Digital Markets Act, in conversation with Rebecca Christie. Apple and Meta were hit with the penalties on 23 April 2025 in what will be a test case for the European Commission’s new mandate to rein in digital gatekeepers. This podcast walks through why the fines were assessed, whether they will be big enough to change the companies’ behaviour, and how the EU must manage its regulatory agenda in the middle of a trade war. This podcast...2025-04-2852 minThe Sound of Economics20 years of improving economic policy: story of Bruegel, story of EuropeIn 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 g...2025-01-2247 min
The Sound of EconomicsUN and beyond: China's expanding global roleIn 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.
2024-11-2036 min
The Sound of EconomicsEurope’s green global reachIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites Bruegel’s own Simone Tagliapietra and Cecilia Trasi, as well as Jacob Werksman, Principal Adviser of European Commission’s DG Clima, to examine the EU’s global green agenda and the challenges of balancing decarbonisation, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy. They discuss how the EU’s green geoeconomic approach should support global decarbonisation efforts and strengthen the EU's strategic position.
Relevant publications and events:
Sgaravatti, G., S. Tagliapietra and C. Trasi (2024) ‘Re-energising Europe’s global green reach’, Policy Brief 11/2024, Bruegel
Re-energising Europe’s global green reach, Bruegel event with Anthony Agotha...2024-10-0245 min
The Sound of EconomicsUnite, defend, grow: EU policy for the next five years
The Memos to the European Union leadership have been a Bruegel tradition since 2009. Every five years – after the European elections but before a new European Commission takes office – we take stock of EU economic policies, reflect on the EU's main challenges, make recommendations on how the new leadership should address them.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites the book's editors, Maria Demertzis, André Sapir and Jeromin Zettelmeyer, to unpack the crown memo to the Presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament. Their key takeaways are: support Ukraine; work toward the 2040 climate goals; and d...2024-09-0445 minThe Sound of EconomicsThrough crises and their solutions – A farewell to Maria Demertzis
Maria Demertzis sits down in the studio of The Sound of Economics for one last time in her capacity as Senior fellow and Bruegel’s former Deputy director. In this episode, she reflects on the eight years of her work. What have been the major challenges for the EU and how has Bruegel responded to them? Why does she feel strongly about financial vulnerability and what she sees as the next great challenges for the EU leadership? From inflation to the Fearless girl statue, Maria shares her wide-reaching insights in an interview with Bruegel’s Head of Communications, Katja Knežević...2024-08-2833 minThe Sound of EconomicsElectrified tensions: EU's proposed tariffs on Chinese EVsIn October 2023, the European Union launched an investigation into whether Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers were receiving unfair subsidies which give them an advantage in the market. In June 2024, the European Commission announced the preliminary conclusion that it would levy additional tariffs of between 17.4ؘ–38% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This would be placed on top of an existing 10% import duty. These duties are set to provisionally come into effect in early July, with a proposal for permanent measures expected in November, subject to a decisive vote.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Yuyun Zhan sits down wit...2024-06-2033 minThe Sound of EconomicsEurope's economic futureBruegel and the Financial Times partnered up to host a debate featuring lead candidates from major EU political parties on EU economic issues, namely growth, the single market, economic security and the EU budget. The participants of the debate were:
Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe Now
Ursula von der Leyen, The European People's Party
Nicolas Schmit, the Party of European Socialists
Anders Vistisen, Identity and Democracy Party
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with Bruegel Senior fellow Maria Demertzis, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy, also moderators of the debate, to unpack the views they...2024-05-2936 minThe Sound of EconomicsGreening EU fiscal rulesIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie is joined by Ester Barendregt, Zsolt Darvas and Jeromin Zettelmeyer to discuss how to finish the new fiscal rules for the European Union before next year's European elections. They speak about whether the emerging fiscal rules might help or hurt efforts to fund the green transition.
Also on the agenda is the latest developments towards fiscal rules reform, with the speakers giving their feedback on the current proposals. They also debate how to balance debt and environmental sustainability and whether there is enough political will to achieve fiscal...2023-11-2236 min
The Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: Ways of beingWhat can we learn from other forms of intelligence and personhood, and how can we change our societies to live more equitably with one another and the non-human world?
In this episode of Read with Bruegel series, Giuseppe Porcaro welcomes James Bridle to discuss his latest book ‘Ways of Being: Animals, Plants, Machines: The Search for a Planetary Intelligence.’
They discuss the effects of Artificial Intelligence and new technologies on our society, economics, politics and everyday life. They delve into the relationship human beings have with the other beings we share the planet with. They also disc...2023-10-0438 minThe Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: Central Banking before 1800: A RehabilitationThe Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.
In this episode of the series, Nicolas Véron welcomes Ulrich Bindseil to discuss his latest book ‘Central Banking before 1800: A Rehabilitation’.
Véron and Bindeil ponder the definition of central banking, whilst analysing pre-1800 central banking and th...2023-08-0951 minThe Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of NationsThe Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.
In this episode of the series, Simone Tagliapietra welcomes Daniel Yergin to discuss his book ‘The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations’.
The global energy order is being shaken by climate change, the COVID-19 pande...2023-08-0240 minThe Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: Backfire: How Sanctions Reshape the World Against U.S. InterestsThe Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.
In this episode of the series, Bruegel Senior fellow Maria Demertzis welcomes Agathe Demarais, Global forecasting director, Economist Intelligence Unit, to discuss her latest book ‘Backfire: How Sanctions Reshape the World Against U.S. Interests’.
From Russia’s inva...2023-07-2644 minThe Sound of EconomicsAssessing China's quest for innovationThe Chinese economy is at a crossroads. The investment-driven growth model, which the government had relied on for the last four decades, is running out of steam. Fiscal deficits are widening and public debt is rising. Furthermore, population aging is becoming more visible and the pandemic had some scarring effects which have taken a toll both on consumer and business confidence.
The very rapid rise in wages since the global financial crisis is pushing China to get ahead in its production capabilities so it will be productive enough to continue to raise wages and avoid the middle-income trap. Pr...2023-07-1917 minThe Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: The Palgrave Handbook of Global Politics in the 22nd CenturyThe Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.
In this episode, Giuseppe Porcaro invites Isabella Hermann and Laura Horn to discuss their latest book, ‘The Palgrave Handbook of Global Politics in the 22nd Century’.
The book mirrors the format and style of existing handbooks, combining outli...2023-06-2832 minThe Sound of EconomicsRead with Bruegel: The Crisis of Democratic CapitalismThe Sound of Economics is bringing you a summer 2023 special series, 'Read with Bruegel.' In this series, we have the pleasure of hosting renowned authors who will discuss various economic issues based on their insightful books. We hope this conversation will inspire you to explore their books and offer you some food for thought during your summer break.
In the first episode of the series, Bruegel Director Jeromin Zettelmeyer welcomes Martin Wolf, Chief economics commentator at the Financial Times to discuss his latest book ‘The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism’.
Liberal democracy is in recession and auth...2023-06-211h 01The Sound of EconomicsLessons from the rise in self-employmentIndependent work, self-employment and the gig economy have been evolving in the past decade, changing our understanding of traditional employment. However, with the rise in self-employment comes the need to adapt our laws and legislation to accommodate pension schemes and benefits that many self-employed do not have, compared with their traditional counterparts.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Giuseppe Porcaro is joined by Diane Mulcahy and Milena Nikolova of Bruegel, to discuss the future of self-employment, what it means for traditional workers, and what it entails for policymakers.
This podcast was produced within the p...2022-08-2438 minThe Sound of EconomicsArtificial intelligence and job qualityArtificial intelligence and automation are increasing in role, and no industry is immune. From doctors to gig workers, advances in AI are becoming a key determinant of job quality. This week on The Sound of Economics, Giuseppe Porcaro is joined by Laura Nurski and Mia Hoffmann, to discuss how technology affects work, whether good or bad, and what should we take into consideration for the future?
This podcast was produced within the project “Future of Work and Inclusive Growth in Europe“, with the financial support of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.
Relevant Publications:
...2022-07-2741 minThe Sound of EconomicsSecuring the supply of semiconductors to EuropeDrawing lessons from the ongoing shortages in chip supply, the United States, China and the European Union are adopting industrial policies to secure semiconductor supply chains as well as economic and technological competitiveness. The EU Chips Act, announced in February 2022, represents a real break in Europe's industrial policy. Are semiconductors the new oil? The answer might be more complicated than just yes or no. Giuseppe Porcaro, Niclas Poitiers and Pauline Weil unpack the economics and geopolitics behind the Chips Act.
Relevant publications:
Briefings de l'Ifri, Fishing for Chips: Assessing the EU Chips Act
Poitiers, N. and...2022-07-2035 minThe Sound of EconomicsThe Kremlin's gas warsThe European Union and other major economies have imposed swift, broad and devastating sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But given Europe’s energy dependence on Russian natural gas, there is a growing fear across the continent that Russia could hit back. Bruegel’s Guntram Wolff and Simone Tagliapietra discuss how Europe can withstand Russia’s counter sanctions and keep in unity.
Relevant publications:
Poitiers, N., G., Tagliapietra, S., Wolff, G. and G. Zachmann (2022) 'The Kremlin’s gas wars', Bruegel External publication, 28 February
McWilliams, B., Sgaravatti, G., Tagliapietra, S. and G. Zachmann (2022) ‘Can Europe survive painlessly w...2022-02-2822 minThe Sound of EconomicsEurope’s energy crisisSince late 2021, European households’ gas and electricity bills have climbed to unprecedented levels. However, given the uncertainty of future Russian gas supplies and several other factors, the situation ahead does not look much rosier. How did we get here? And what should Europe do to get out of this crisis, in the short and long-term? Bruegel’s own Giuseppe Porcaro, Simone Tagliapietra and Georg Zachmann discuss with Agata Łoskot-Strachota, Senior Fellow of Energy Policy at the Centre for Eastern Studies, Poland.
Read more:
McWilliams, B., Sgaravatti, G., Tagliapietra, S. and G. Zachmann (2022) ‘Can Europe survive painlessly without Russian gas?’...2022-02-1641 minThe Sound of EconomicsIs tech redefining the workplace for women?Today, work is often segregated by gender -- with great ramifications for women across the world. Will increased use of technology decrease or increase current discrepancies? What can we do today in our schools and workplaces to help women in the future?
Bruegel's own Giuseppe Porcaro spoke to Bruegel Research Fellow Laura Nurski and the Technical University of Vienna's Professor Sabine Theresia Köszegi about the future of work and gender. Together, they explore the contemporary challenges women face in the workplace, and the potential for solutions in the future.
Want to learn more about gender a...2021-10-0628 min
The Sound of EconomicsEnvironmental, societal and governance criteria: hit or miss?Sustainable investing is gaining in popularity as socially conscious clients consider environmental, societal and governance (ESG) criteria when deciding on potential investment. As a result, the financial world is offering more ESG compatible products on the market.
While well intentioned, the ability and capacity of ESG criteria in corporate disclosure to achieve climate and social goals is questionable. Bruegel Director Guntram Wolff hosts a debate between Tariq Fancy, the BlackRock executive turned ESG whistleblower, and Non-resident fellow Rebecca Christie, on whether sustainable investing will make the world a better place, and how it differs between North America and...2021-08-2631 min
The Sound of EconomicsA fitting plan for the European Green Deal?On 14 July, the European Commission finally announced a large package of measures that will make the EU the first mover in the race limit global warming, with measures targeting all sectors in a deepening and broadening of the European decarbonisation process.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Bruegel’s Director Guntram Wolff and Bruegel Senior fellow Andre Sapir and Simone Tagliapietra walk you through the 13 proposals and hundreds of pages designed to ensure the continent meets the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55 percent in 2030 and net zero by 2050, compared with 1990 levels. How ambitious are the go...2021-07-1543 min
The Sound of EconomicsCCP's 100th Anniversary: Reflecting and looking forwardThis 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!
On July 1st, 2021, the Chinese Communist Party celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today, Bruegel's Giuseppe Porcaro speaks with Bruegel Senior Fellow Alicia García-Herrero and Professor Steve Tsang, Director of SOAS China Institute at University of London about the past, present, and future of the Party. What are the Party's successes and failu...2021-07-0745 min
The Sound of EconomicsA stronger euro comes with more responsibilityEuropean strategic autonomy is probably the single most used watchword in European circles, if only because of lack of consensus about what it entails. US bashing for some, a more confident and independent EU for others, the concept has well and truly moved out of the security and defence area into every area of EU policy. This is most apparent in the debate around the international role of the euro, where institutional thinking has shifted fast in the past couple of years. Is it inevitable?
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Bruegel Director Guntram Wolff is...2021-05-1929 min
The Sound of EconomicsThe idea of Europe: more than a feeling?In a recent set of two Bruegel publications Giuseppe Porcaro, Emmanuel Mourlon-Druol, Enrico Bergamini and Francesco Papadia set out to understand exactly how europeanised public debate in national conversations actually is. With no quantitative indicators, they used a whole set of 'imperfect proxies' such as analysis of national newspapers to give them additional elements alongside the voters turnout, and existing eurobarometers surveys to understand just how strong citizens’ attachment to the European Union is.
In this episode of The Sound of Economics LIVE, Giuseppe and Emmanuel are joined by two guests who with hands on experience in finding th...2021-04-161h 05
The Sound of EconomicsMacroeconomic outlook: are we back on track?This podcast episode is part of Bruegel’s macroeconomic outlook series of The Sound of Economics, in which we bring you regular analysis of all things macro and fiscal policy.
This February, the European Commission published the Winter 2021 Economic Forecast with the estimation of a 3.7% increase in GDP in the EU in 2021. While this means a recovery from the pandemic, economic uncertainty still remains significant.
On the other side of the globe, the Biden administration has announced a $1.9 trillion fiscal package. Would this result in inflation risks? How will this affect European economies? And, what fiscal in...2021-03-0546 minThe Sound of EconomicsSo long credit support?COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption to business. Since the first lockdowns, governments have used credit support programmes as the main instrument to mitigate the liquidity shock businesses have been facing. Have the programmes worked?
Bruegel Director Guntram Wolff is joined by Bruegel's very own Julia Anderson, Francesco Papadia and Nicolas Véron to talk about their research into credit support programmes in Europe’s five largest economies. They share their findings with us as well as possible policy implications.
Related research:
Anderson, J., F. Papadia and N. Véron (2021) ‘COVID-19 credit-support programmes in Europe’s five largest economie...2021-02-1729 minThe Sound of EconomicsFrom support to recovery: national fiscal policy in the wake of COVID-19Across the Atlantic, EU member states have been discussing a recovery plan since last spring, striking an agreement over the summer to create a €750 billion pandemic recovery fund. Hard-pressed EU capitals must now submit detailed plans to Brussels to unlock their share of the cash and begin rebooting their economies. One such country is Italy, where an ambitious once in a generation plan is being drawn up to spend €200 billion to relaunch an anemic economy. The hope is that by pushing through unpalatable reforms together with funds underwritten by 27 member states, that an economy that has not grown in real term...2021-02-1038 minThe Sound of EconomicsThe geopolitical repercussions of the European Green DealThe European Green Deal is a plan to decarbonise the EU economy by 2050, revolutionise the EU’s energy system, profoundly transform the economy and inspire efforts to combat climate change. But the plan will also have profound geopolitical repercussions and is likely to impact partner countries adversely. In the latest paper co-written by Bruegel and the European Council on Foreign Relations, the authors map out the geopolitical implications and lay out a foreign policy agenda to manage the geopolitical aspects of the European Green Deal and lead climate change efforts globally. In this episode of The Sound of Economics, co-authors Je...2021-02-0330 minThe Sound of EconomicsWhere did the vaccine strategy go wrong?One year since the pandemic began, widespread vaccination has finally started. It would be a mistake however to say the end is in sight. Senior fellows Uri Dadush and J. Scott Marcus join Bruegel director Guntram Wolff to talk COVID-19 vaccine strategy, from testing and production to procurement and inoculation.
Relevant publications:
Dadush, U. (2021) ‘A matter of life and death: governments must speed up vaccination’ Bruegel Blog, 13 January
Marcus, J.S. (2021) ‘Has the European Union squandered its coronavirus vaccination opportunity?’ Bruegel Blog, 6 January
Demertzis, M. (2020) ‘Are we out of the woods yet?’ 14 December
2021-01-2033 minThe Sound of EconomicsSteering the boat towards an unknown destinationThe economy of the euro area is forecast to contract by 8.7% in 2020 but grow by 6.1% in 2021. The drop in GDP in 2009, the worst year of the financial crisis, was just over 5%. There is no doubt that the drop we face today is much more significant, although it is expected to be short-lived with a sharp bounce back. However, all EU countries are currently going through a second COVID-19 wave exponentially worse than the first in terms of number of infections, albeit with fewer deaths (so far). Who knows what the real hit to the economy will be, and indeed how...2020-11-2531 min
The Sound of EconomicsThe future of EU-UK relations (again!)On 15-16 October the European Council will take stock of the implementation of the withdrawal agreement and review the state of the negotiations on the future EU-UK partnership. Leaders will discuss preparatory work for all scenarios after 1 January 2021. The timetable is very tight, with October seen as the last deadline for reaching an agreement that could then be ratified in time for entry into force by the end of the current transition period.
In this live recording session of The Sound of Economics, Bruegel’s scholars took a step back and provided the background, as well as outline th...2020-10-1356 min
The Sound of EconomicsFor a better, more sovereign EuropeThis is part of a special feature of the Sound of Economics reporting highlights from Bruegel Annual Meetings, which happened between 1 and 3 September 2020.
Usually physically gathering hundreds of people in Brussels every year, the Annual Meetings are the flagship event of Bruegel. This year, due to the pandemic, we held the event entirely online.
For this episode of the Sound of Economics we report the full speech delivered on 3 September by the Minister of Finance of Germany, Olaf Scholz, touching upon the key issues Europe is facing for its economic recovery and its own sovereignty in a complex gl...2020-09-0952 minThe Sound of EconomicsS6: Financial fragility after #COVID19In this episode we discuss financial fragility in European households in the time of COVID-19.
Before the pandemic hit, a substantial share of households reported that they would be unable to handle a financial emergency. In some EU countries, many had savings equivalent to just a few weeks of basic consumption.
Giuseppe is joined by Maria Demertzis, deputy director at Bruegel, and Anna Maria Lusardi, Academic Director of the George Washington University Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center who have authored a paper published by Bruegel on the topic
What did they find out, about how households finances have been imp...2020-07-0228 min
The Sound of EconomicsS6: Reopening: EuropeSince the end of May and throughout the month of June, many European Countries have lifted or loosened the lockdown measures set in place to fight the spread of the virus.
One of the last measures still in place is the closure of international borders, which to some extent brought back to the memory a closed Europe, and border checkpoints, which many of our listeners that born after 1989 probably bene experienced, at least on the scale we have had.
As this is somewhat an atypical and historical moment, we are going to embark in a peculiar journey, starting on...2020-06-1133 min
The Sound of EconomicsS6: Will COVID-19 boost the euro as a global currency?The euro is, by definition an international currency. However, since being established in the late 90s the single currency has always been somewhat less than the sum of it's parts and has yet to challenge the US dollar for global dominance. Its international status declined with the euro crisis of 2008.
Could the reform of the institutional setup of the monetary union that many are arguing for in the wake of the covid-19 crisis boost the euro's status as a global currency?
Episode guests:
Guntram Wolff, Bruegel Director
Alicia Garcia Herrero, senior fellow at Bruegel
...2020-06-0525 minThe Sound of EconomicsCOVID-19’s shock for emerging economiesThe pandemic is hurting emerging economies in at least three ways: by locking down their populations, damaging their export earnings and deterring foreign capital. Even if the pandemic will fade in the second half of the year, gdp in developing countries, measured at purchasing-power parity, will be 6.6% smaller in 2020 than the IMF had forecast in October.
In this episode we dig into the topic and sketch the possible tools that emerging economies can use to face the liquidity crisis. The conversation presents the analysis of the authors of a Bruegel Policy Contribution the topic.
Episode's guests: 2020-05-2935 min
The Sound of EconomicsRebooting Europe: a framework for post COVID-19 economic recoveryCOVID-19 has triggered a severe recession and policymakers in European Union countries are providing generous, largely indiscriminate, support to companies. As the recession gets deeper, a more comprehensive strategy is needed. This should be based on four principles: viability of supported entities, fairness, achieving societal goals, and giving society a share in future profits. The effort should be structured around equity and recovery funds with borrowing at EU level.
In this episode we discuss the proposal for a recovery plan outlined in a recent paper by Julia Anderson, Simone Tagliapietra and Guntram Wolff which can be read here...2020-05-1556 min
The Sound of EconomicsS6: The Belt and Road anxietyIs the Belt and Road initiative a global development plan or is it just a trade project? How concerned should the international community be with what is called the "project of the century"? This week, Guntram Wolff discusses the Belt and Road Initiative with Prof. He Fang, from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr. Jing Gu, director of the Centre for Rising Powers and Global Development, and Suman Bery, from Bruegel.
This podcast was recorded in Berlin at the Asia Europe Economic Forum (AEEF): https://bruegel.org/events/eu-asia-trade-and-investment-connectivity/
2019-12-0527 minThe Sound of EconomicsS6: How to make the European Green Deal work (Part Two)Don't worry if you missed part one because all of Bruegel's pillars for a European Green Deal are created equal. This time, Nicholas Barrett and Guntram Wolff discuss industrial policy and the social consequences of the green deal with Grégory Claeys and Simone Tagliapietra. To read the paper in full, visit Bruegel.org
2019-11-1339 min
The Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: What is a hybrid attack?Increasing cyber and hybrid risks will test the European Union’s system of fragmentation on issues of security but centralisation on financial and other economic issues. This asymmetry was not an obstacle in a world in which security threats were more contained or of a different nature. But the world is changing. But what is a hybrid attack and whose responsibility is it to deal with? Last week Bruegel's Director, Guntram Wolff and our Deputy Director Maria Demertzis presented a paper on the subject to ECOFIN, an informal meeting of European finance ministers in Helsinki. In this episode of Bruegel's "Sou...2019-09-1812 min
The Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: ECB monetary policy decisions deconstructedThe next president of the ECB, much like his predecessors, will have the difficult task of dealing with the balance between speaking with one voice and making timely, optimal decisions for the euro area as a whole.
In this episode of ‘The Sound of Economics’, Bruegel deputy director Maria Demertzis speaks with Bruegel research fellow Grégory Claeys about the evolution of decision-making of the previous three governors and the differences in the effects of interest rates.
Grégory Claeys and Tanja Linta have published a blog post creating a database to look back and examine precis...2019-06-2717 min
The Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Making a success of EU cohesion policyCohesion policy remains a contentious topic in the EU, central as it is to the matter of convergence between regions. The need to share economic growth throughout the bloc is particularly acute in the wake of notable electoral advances from several more populist political parties in Europe in recent years.
Bruegel senior fellow Zsolt Darvas explains how his recent study, co-written with Jan Mazza and Catarina Midões, adopts a new methodology with the aim of avoiding the complicating factors that have underpinned the greatly varied results of many previous assessments of cohesion-policy effectiveness. He explains further how t...2019-06-2022 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector’s Cut: A strategic agenda for the incoming EU presidentsThe next presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament will inherit a relatively healthy European economy, but will face three formidable challenges in the next five years.
First, the incoming presidents must define Europe’s place in an increasingly bipolar world driven by a geostrategic rivalry between the United States and China. Second, global warming is a reality and temperatures appear to be rising faster than forecast. Third, the three presidents need to manage the economy and EU cohesion.
In this episode of ‘The Sound of Economics’, Bruegel director Guntram Wolff speaks with Bruegel deputy director Maria Demertzis about the spec...2019-06-1221 min
The Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Making the most of climate modellingIn this episode of 'The Sound of Economics', Bruegel senior fellow Georg Zachmann continues the Backstage series with an interview with Massimo Tavoni, professor at the Politecnico di Milano and director of EIEE.
The discussion point is climate modelling - specifically its use and the necessity of complexity in some of its formulations.
Some climate models are very straightforward, and this allows for the building of a solid base. But interaction between complex systems requires consideration of a multitude of factors, not all of which are easily measurable.
Modelling can be productive as a means of plotting...2019-06-0625 minThe Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Striving for research excellence with Horizon EuropeThe European Union's next framework programme for innovation and research - 'FP9', better known as Horizon Europe - will run from 2021 to 2027. With the rise of China as an increasingly direct competitor with the EU and the US, this will be a vital period.
Bruegel senior fellow Reinhilde Veugelers, together with Michael Baltensperger, has produced an analysis for the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. The research paper, on which Reinhilde elaborates in this episode of the Deep Focus podcast, looks at what needs to be prioritised in the next framework programme in order to maintain and i...2019-06-0416 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Reflections on the European electionsAn analysis of the results of the most recent European elections reveals what Bruegel director Guntram Wolff classifies as a generally positive trend in electoral participation across the EU, with an overall increase of 7% in voter turnout since the last elections in 2014. Additionally, populist parties in the European Parliament seem to have been prevented from gaining ground.
However, election results in some EU member states were not as pro-EU at the national level. In this podcast, Guntram Wolff welcomes Ferdinando Giugliano from Bloomberg and Krzysztof Blusz from WiseEuropa to discuss the results in each guest's home countries...2019-05-2933 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Key policy positions of the SpitzenkandidatenGiuseppe Porcaro hosts Bruegel director Guntram Wolff and visiting fellow Rebecca Christie to reflect on the key policy positions taken by the candidates for the European Commission presidency, ahead of May's elections.
European elections are fast approaching. With them comes not just a visit to the polls, but the beginning of a sequence involving the European Parliament and the Council that will eventually decide who becomes the next president of the Commission. The Spitzenkandidaten process sees each of the parties put forward their nominated candidate - or candidates - one of whom should eventually assume the presidency...2019-05-2128 min
The Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Evolution of US-China relations amid trade-tariff conflictBruegel director Guntram Wolff and Bruegel fellow Uri Dadush welcome William Alan Reinsch, senior adviser and Scholl chair in international business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, for a discussion of how China-US relations are developing in the context of unfolding trade war.
With President Trump increasing tariffs on the US' imports from China and China retaliating in kind, the trade dispute between the two countries is escalating quickly.
Here the discussants elaborate on the disruption caused by trade tariffs, the likelihood of China acquiescing to US demands with regard to economic reform...2019-05-1430 min
The Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Reforming and rejuvenating Russia’s economy'The Sound of Economics' podcast continues with an instalment of the Deep Focus series, with Bruegel fellow Marek Dabrowski talking to Sean Gibson about the findings of his research paper on Russia's growth problems (co-written with Antoine Mathieu Collin).
The Russian economy has weathered several crises in recent decades, most recently between 2014-16. Though this latest dip was relatively not so deep, growth has returned much more slowly this time around than in previous years.
Some problems are age-old, while others are a product of recent political movements and developments. In this episode the conversation sp...2019-05-0935 min
The Sound of EconomicsBackstage: The EU financial services landscape after BrexitBruegel fellows Rebecca Christie and Nicolas Véron discuss how the map of the EU's financial services industry has begun to change, and how it might eventually settle.
The Brexit process has begun to unravel the supremacy of London as the financial centre of Europe, yet it remains unclear how the map of the EU's financial system will eventually be refigured.
Several cities have emerged to compete not only for the business that is leaving the UK's capital but for new investment as well. This raises broader questions about whether it is more beneficial to h...2019-04-3012 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Resuming the EU-US trade talksMaria Demertzis sits down with Bruegel senior fellow André Sapir to break down the news, discussing the events leading up to the renewed EU-US trade talks, and the likely future course.
On 15 April 2019, the European Council approved mandates for the Commission to resume trade negotiations with the United States, which are to be centered around eliminating industrial tariffs. Although already a breakthrough, the talks are set to encounter many difficulties given their highly political nature.
Bruegel's deputy director Maria Demertzis sits down with senior fellow André Sapir to assess the news, discussing the events leading up...2019-04-2325 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's cut: EU-China partnership after the 21st EU-China summitIn this episode of the Director's cut, Guntram Wolff discusses with Alicia Garcia Herrero about the results of the 21st EU-China Summit.
The EU and China committed to further strengthen the EU-China strategic partnership at the 21st EU-China summit. Both sides agreed on a joint statement setting out the direction for EU-China relations in the years to come. Leaders expressed their joint support for multilateralism and rules-based trade. They reaffirmed their joint engagement to reform the World Trade Organisation. The EU and China agreed to work together to address industrial subsidies. They also discussed foreign and security iss...2019-04-1225 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector’s Cut: How to make Industry 4.0 work for EuropeBruegel director Guntram Wolff talks to Padmashree Gehl Sampath, a Berkman Klein fellow at Harvard University, on the consequences of ‘new manufacturing’ for European industrial policymaking.
In this Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’, Bruegel’s Guntram Wolff discusses Industry 4.0 with Harvard University Berkman Klein fellow Padmashree Gehl Sampath.
Europe is yet to truly explore what interventions can and should be made with regard to the digitisation of industrial policy. But the ongoing development of technologies obliges the EU to examine how best to create a level playing-field for companies, and how to ensure that...2019-04-0224 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: China's place in the global trading systemBruegel director Guntram Wolff and senior fellow André Sapir discuss how potential WTO reform might position the organisation differently towards China.
In this Director's Cut of 'The Sound of Economics', Guntram Wolff talks to Bruegel senior fellow André Sapir about his upcoming paper on the WTO reform, specifically what is necessary in order for the Chinese economic system to be compatible with the global multilateral trading system.
China has recently been atop the European policy agenda, especially with President Xi's recent visits to Rome and Paris ahead of the EU-China Summit in April. The discussants he...2019-03-2836 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: The case for a legislative remedy for recessionsBruegel's Maria Demertzis welcomes Yale Law School professor Yair Listokin to this Director's Cut of 'The Sound of Economics', to discuss how law might be deployed as a macroeconomic tool to counter financial crisis.
In this episode of Director's Cut, Bruegel's deputy director Maria Demertzis talks to Yair Listokin, a professor at Yale Law School, about the effect law could have on achieving macroeconomic objectives.
In his new book titled 'Law and Macroeconomics', Yair Listokin puts forward the idea that law has the ability to function as an instrument of macroeconomic policy. He argues that...2019-03-1220 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Reforming the European asylum systemThis episode of 'The Sound of Economics' features Bruegel visiting fellow Elina Ribakova in conversation with Marc-Olivier Padis and Jean-Paul Tran Thiet about the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
Asylum is a fundamental human right and an international obligation, first recognised in the 1951 Geneva Convention on the protection of refugees. Between 2013 and 2017, 4 million asylum applications were filed in the EU. This high number resulted in growing tensions between Member States, with some of them displaying non-cooperative behaviour.
The migration crisis of 2015 revealed the inadequacies of European legal tools and, by extension, management...2019-03-0724 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: The next decade of European energy transitionThis episode of 'The Sound of Economics' features Bruegel research fellow Simone Tagliapietra in conversation with Sir Philip Lowe and Alberto Pototschnig about the progress of the European energy transition as we prepare to enter the third decade of the 21st century.
In this episode of Backstage, Bruegel's Simone Tagliapietra welcomes Sir Philip Lowe, former director general at the European Commission, DG ENER, and Alberto Pototschnig, director at the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
Together, they elaborate on the main trends driving the European energy transition towards greater sustainability, energy security a...2019-02-2626 minThe Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: A greener monetary policy approach for the ECBBruegel fellow Dirk Schoenmaker walks Sean Gibson and 'The Sound of Economics' listeners through his latest working paper, focusing on how to make monetary policy in Europe more climate-friendly
In this episode of the Deep Focus podcast series, Bruegel's Dirk Schoenmaker explains his proposed greener alternative to the ECB's current 'market-neutral' approach to monetary policy.
Elaborating on research contained within a recent Bruegel working paper, the author shows that significant strides can be made while remaining within existing constraints and with due considerations for the primary vital purpose of monetary policy.
If you...2019-02-2112 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Balancing free trade with national security interestsIn this episode of Director's Cut, Stephanie Segal of CSIS joins Bruegel's Guntram Wolff and Maria Demertzis for a conversation about the tension between free trade and national security issues, and the emerging threats to multilateralism.
In a changing geopolitical order, with China on the rise, the linkage of economic and national security is more evident than ever. The boom of disruptive new technologies is accompanied by increasingly country-centric political tendencies, and the more and more antagonistic stance of the US towards the EU and China. Taken together, a unique setting emerges for dealing with pressing issues...2019-02-1933 minThe Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Developing Europe's digital single marketBruegel senior fellow J. Scott Marcus joins Sean Gibson for this episode of Deep Focus on the 'The Sound of Economics', elaborating on a Bruegel study for the European Parliament into the progress made with the Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy since 2015.
In a study for the European Parliament, Bruegel senior fellow J. Scott Marcus (together with co-authors Georgios Petropoulos and Timothy Yeung) has reviewed the gains delivered so far by these new measures, insofar as they can yet be determined. The authors also look at what the next legislative term might deliver, what realistic progress can...2019-02-1224 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Reflections on five years of China's Belt and Road InitiativeBruegel fellows Alicia García-Herrero and Uri Dadush join Guntram Wolff for this Director's Cut of 'The Sound of Economics', focusing on the progress made by China's Belt and Road Initiative, how it will continue to develop, and the reactions it has stirred across the world.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a trade and development strategy proposed by Xi Jinping in 2013. It aims to enhance development prospects via infrastructure, trade, and investment on a trans-continental scale, and is hence often referred to as 'the 21st century's Silk Road'.
Five years after its lau...2019-02-0725 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Policy principles for a new social contractThis episode of The Sound of Economics features Bruegel senior fellow Zsolt Darvas in conversation with Maurizio Bussolo and Bernadette Ségol about income inequality in Europe and Central Asia, and the policy principles underpinning a possible new social contract.
Although income distribution in Europe and Central Asia reaches a fairly egalitarian standard relative to the rest of the world, the current levels of inequality among individuals and households are a major cause of dissatisfaction. In the time of globalisation and rapid technological change, when income inequalities heavily affect people's security and well-being, the demand for a ne...2019-01-2428 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: The economics of no-deal BrexitBruegel director Guntram Wolff is joined by senior fellow Zsolt Darvas to rake through the possibilities and probabilities inherent in a no-deal Brexit scenario, covering trade, the Irish border, citizens' rights and the EU budget.
Bruegel senior fellow Zsolt Darvas joins Guntram Wolff for this Director's Cut, to discuss the economic fall-out of a no-deal Brexit.
While the UK remains without an agreement on the nature of its relationship with the EU beyond March 29th 2019, the possibility of a no-deal Brexit - and its bundle of complex permutations for each sector - is still on...2019-01-1626 minThe Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Europe's auto industry and the global electric vehicle revolutionBruegel fellows Reinhilde Veugelers and Simone Tagliapietra elaborate on the recent Policy Contribution they co-authored on the European automotive industry in the light of the global electric vehicle revolution.
Electrification is a key trend transforming the global automotive industry, especially in the light of increased decarbonisation efforts. The speed at which the technology is being developed and the decreasing production costs make for a rather optimistic prognosis for future global deployment of electric vehicles (EVs). The automotive sector is undoubtedly an important one for the EU economy, yet it has lagged behind in terms of both EV...2019-01-0820 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Shared prosperity for the EU and north AfricaBruegel's director Guntram Wolff looks at north Africa's economic growth in the light of the region's trade agreements with the EU, welcoming Karim El Aynaoui and Uri Dadush to the Backstage series on 'The Sound of Economics'.
In this episode of Backstage, Bruegel's director Guntram Wolff welcomes Uri Dadush, a non-resident scholar at Bruegel and a Senior Fellow at the OCP Policy Center, as well as Karim El Aynaoui, managing director at the OCP Policy Center. Together, they look at north Africa's economic growth in the light of the region's trade agreements with the EU.
...2018-11-2719 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: How think-tanks can make themselves heard in an information-rich worldThink-tanks play a critical role in developing and promoting policy solutions, particularly in times of extreme disruption and change.
However, these organisations now operate in information-rich societies where facts, evidence and credible research are often ignored – and where disinformation can gain a footing.
In this edition of the Bruegel Backstage podcast series on ‘The Sound of Economics’, Bruegel secretary general Matt Dann welcomes senior thought leaders from research centres around the world, to discuss a range of strategies and best practices for transforming public policy and institutions in an era of digital and political disruptions as wel...2018-11-0845 min
The Sound of EconomicsDirector’s Cut: How to reform and fortify the global financial systemBruegel director Guntram Wolff is joined by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, deputy prime minister of Singapore and chair of the G20 Eminent Persons Group, and Jean Pisani-Ferry, mercator senior fellow at Bruegel, for a conversation about the growth and stability challenges facing the global financial system, and how the system can be better equipped to deal with the significant and novel problems of the future.
In this Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ Guntram Wolff is joined by Bruegel’s mercator senior fellow Jean Pisani-Ferry, and by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, deputy prime minister of Singapore and chair of the G20...2018-10-2330 min
The Sound of EconomicsBackstage: The new balance of Asia-EU-US trade relationsAmid the Asia-Europe Economic Forum on the fringes of the 12th ASEM Summit, Bruegel senior fellow hosts a conversation on developing global trade relations, with guests Moonsung Kang, professor as Korea University, and Michael G. Plummer, director at SAIS Europe – Johns Hopkins University, for an episode of the Bruegel Backstage series on ‘The Sound of Economics’.
With Bruegel hosting the two-day Asia-Europe Economic Forum in the same week as the Asia-Europe Meeting takes place in Brussels, André Sapir takes the opportunity to talk about the quickening changes to the global trade landscape in conversation with Moonsung Kang, profess...2018-10-1719 min
The Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: Renewing the clean energy strategy in the MediterraneanIn this episode of Deep Focus, Bruegel research fellow Simone Tagliapeitra explains how the nature of cross-Mediterranean energy relations needs to change, not only in line with new climate-change targets but also to meet the burgeoning energy demand outside Europe.
Oil and gas dominated Euro-Mediterranean energy relations in the 20th century, but with the turn of the 21st century came a new focus on renewable sources. The new ventures were less successful than those of old, and both institutional and commercial plans failed to achieve the same level of fruitful cooperation.
With electricity demand sky-rocketing...2018-10-1614 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector’s Cut: How does Italy’s budget fit with EU fiscal rules?In this Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’, Guntram Wolff welcomes Bruegel research fellow Grégory Claeys to assess how the new Italian budget proposals measure up against the existing EU fiscal rules.
Italy’s new budget proposals, together with projected deficit levels for the coming years, have put the EU as well as bond-market investors on alert.
In the context of Italy’s already-high ratio of public debt to GDP, the coalition government’s plan to increase the budget deficit has prompted concerns that the country risks running afoul of the EU’s fiscal framew...2018-10-0923 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Implications of the new EU-Japan trade dealBruegel senior fellow André Sapir welcomes Tamotsu Nakamura, dean of Kobe University’s Graduate School of Economics, and Maria Åsenius, head of cabinet to European trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström, for a discussion of the EU-Japan economic partnership in the context of heightening global trade tensions.
The EU and Japan have signed a landmark trade deal this summer that will create the world’s largest open economic area.
The economic partnership agreement will be the biggest bilateral trade agreement the EU has ever signed, permitting not only the dropping of tariffs but also regulatory cooperation, as well a...2018-10-0425 minThe Sound of EconomicsBackstage: Developing the EU-China relationship amid rising global trade tensionsFollowing a conference at Bruegel, at a critical moment for the global economic system, Bruegel director Guntram Wolff is joined by Zhang Weiwei, director at The China Institute of Fudan University, together with Bruegel senior fellow Alicia García-Herrero, for a discussion of EU-China trade relations.
With the United States pursuing a policy of imposing trade tariffs on its international partners, the geopolitical landscape is poised for change. What room is there, then, for closer economic ties between China and Europe in a world where a multilateral trading system cannot be taken for granted?
There a...2018-09-2034 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector’s Cut: Europe’s migration policy challengeImmigration is one of the most contentious policy matters currently facing the EU. In this Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ Bruegel director Guntram Wolff welcomes Ana Palacio, member of the Spanish council of state and former foreign affairs minister, as well as Bruegel visiting fellow Elina Ribakova for a constructive discussion as to which approaches will yield the best results.
Joining Bruegel director Guntram Wolff for this Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ is Ana Palacio, member of the Spanish council of state and former foreign affairs minister, and Elina Ribakova, Bruegel visiting fel...2018-09-1418 minThe Sound of EconomicsDeep Focus: How healthcare affects the macroeconomyBruegel senior fellow Zsolt Darvas joins Sean Gibson on ‘The Sound of Economics’ to expound on the themes of a Policy Contribution on the macroeconomic implications of healthcare systems, which he has co-written with Nicolas Moës, Yana Myachenkova and David Pichler.
This episode is the first in a new Bruegel podcast series, ‘Deep Focus’, looking specifically at Bruegel research and elaborating on the insights contained therein, in conversation with the authors.
The effects that healthcare systems can impose upon economies are pronounced and far-reaching. The health sector alone accounts for a significant portion of output and...2018-08-3113 minThe Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut - The extent of Turkey's crisisBruegel director Guntram Wolff welcomes Brad Setser, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Jean Pisani-Ferry, mercator senior fellow at Bruegel, to discuss the deterioration of Turkey's economy.
Although a recent souring of relations with the US has provided the immediate prompt for Turkey's current crisis, the country's underlying economic malaise is more deeply rooted.
Headlines have tracked the plummeting value of the lira, while the trust of external investors has been challenged by recent policy decisions. Though Turkey's case bears some of the hallmarks of a textbook emerging-market meltdown, there are key d...2018-08-2435 min
The Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Central banking and the problem of unelected powerPaul Tucker, former deputy governor of the Bank of England, joins Bruegel director Guntram Wolff to discuss the thesis of his new book, as well as the current tensions within current models of central banking governance.
On the agenda is the contention that there is, and even should be, a limit to the level of responsibility that a central bank can reasonably be expected to shoulder. Some decisions have such far-reaching consequences that we might prefer they be made by elected, rather than appointed, officials.
Paul Tucker presented his book in an event at Bruegel...2018-06-0523 min
The Sound of EconomicsRobots: Positive or negative for EU employment?Technological advancements continue to drive change in every industry. In a recent working paper co-written with Francesco Chiacchio and David Pichler, Bruegel research fellow Georgios Petropoulos has explored the impact of the increasing number of robots on employment and wages in Europe.
The introduction of robots constitutes only one industrial advance among many, and each automated technology has different impacts on employment. The impacts across social strata can also be disparate.
In this episode of ‘The Sound of Economics’, Georgios Petropoulos discusses the findings of his study, which focuses on six EU countries (Finland, France, Germ...2018-05-2909 min
The Sound of EconomicsDirector's Cut: Developing deposit insurance in EuropeIn this week’s Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ podcast, Bruegel director Guntram Wolff talks with Nicolas Véron, senior fellow at Bruegel, about the implementation of a European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS), one of the three pillars needed for the completion of banking union.
Significant progress has been made on European banking supervision and resolution schemes, but the debate on a common framework for deposit insurance has remained stuck since the first consistent proposal in 2012.
Member States are currently enjoying their own deposit insurance system, an example of financial fragmentation through the vario...2018-04-0319 min
The Sound of EconomicsS4: Director's cut: A global trade triumvirate?In this week’s Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ podcast, Bruegel director Guntram Wolff hosts a discussion with Bruegel fellows Alicia García-Herrero and André Sapir on where Europe will position itself between the two major trading powers of China and the United States if relations continue to cool.
Bruegel director Guntram Wolff begins his regular Director’s Cut of ‘The Sound of Economics’ podcast with a broad assessment of the recent fomentation of global trade tension, joined in conversation by Bruegel fellows Alicia García-Herrero and André Sapir.
Amid escalating trade tensions, Europe i...2018-03-2720 min
The Sound of EconomicsBrexit and the customs union questionBruegel senior fellow André Sapir clarifies the UK's options for a new relationship with the EU in the wake of Brexit.
The UK's position relative to the European Union following Brexit remains undecided. With negotiations ongoing, Bruegel senior fellow André Sapir explains the UK's options, and explores the scope for a new kind of relationship between the two parties.
This latest episode of 'The Sound of Economics' considers what it might mean, in reality, for the UK to remain in a customs union with the EU but to leave the single market, as well as wh...2018-02-2712 minThe Sound of EconomicsBrexit consequences for EU climate and energy policyBruegel fellow Georg Zachmann joins Richard Tol, professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Sussex, and Pieter-Willem Lemmens, head of analysis at the climate policy think-tank Sandbag, for this episode of 'The Sound of Economics', to discuss the impact of Brexit on climate and energy policy in the European Union
Britain's departure from the European Union poses questions not only for the EU energy market, but the bloc-wide climate-change targets and emissions trading system.
Presented by Sean Gibson, edited by Giuseppe Porcaro
In the energy context, Brexit not only marks...2018-02-1520 minThe Sound of EconomicsWhat the German coalition agreement means for EuropeThe final document on the German coalition agreement will have significant consequences for the European Union and the Eurozone. Bruegel director Guntram Wolff gives his assessment of the agreement's key features in this episode of 'The Sound of Economics'
The negotiations to form the next German government have been a significant factor in European affairs for months now. With an agreement finally struck, this episode of 'The Sound of Economics' sees Bruegel director Guntram Wolff analyse the document of the agreement and what it means for the EU.
In short, there is a lot of...2018-02-0707 minThe Sound of EconomicsEuropean Parliament: More representative post-Brexit?Brexit has afforded the European Parliament with the opportunity to reform - but will the current proposals for reallocating the UK's 73 seats after 2019 fully realise that opportunity?
In the latest chapter of 'The Sound of Economics', Bruegel director Guntram Wolff highlights the potential political ramifications of seat reallocation, and the difficulties inherent in making the Parliament more representative while staying within the bounds of previous agreements.
Read more on the topic on Bruegel website
SPEAKER
Guntram B. Wolff, Director, Bruegel
PRODUCTION
Sean Gibson & Giuseppe Porcaro2018-02-0506 min
The Sound of EconomicsRemaking EuropeSUMMARY:
Manufacturing in its 21st century guise is markedly different from its traditional portrayal. Innovations are not only improving the efficiency of production processes but are also allowing for the establishment of more complex supply chains, with smarter communications systems and big-data management systems driven by an increasing digitalisation.
Companies in a variety of sectors in Europe are having to adapt quickly to keep pace with the change. In this episode of the Sound of Economics, Simone Tagliapietra discusses how the established energy companies are ensuring they stay relevant in this new age; J. Scott M...2018-01-1915 minThe Sound of EconomicsInclusive Europe: a journey towards integrationSenior Bruegel fellow Zsolt Darvas discusses the impact and integration of migrants in the European Union, based on a new research paper he has co-authored with Uuriintuya Batsaikhan and Inês Gonçalves Raposo.
Joining him on 'The Sound of Economics' is Manu Bhardwaj, vice president for research and insights at the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth, while Sean Gibson takes the reins of his first podcast as the new Bruegel press officer.
Zsolt Darvas has written several blogs ahead of the release of the research paper, the issues of which are discussed in this ep...2017-12-1414 min
The Sound of EconomicsInclusive growth and inequality in EuropeIn this episode of “The Sound of Economics” we examine the issue of inclusive growth and inequality in Europe.
We asked Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, to explain us how is it possible to define and measure inclusive growth.
We spoke to Jana Hainsworth, President of the Social Platform, about the negative effects of social inequalities.
We also asked her which new policies should be implemented to support inclusive growth. Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the European Trade Unions Confederation, and Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of Businesseurope, also shared their opinion.
2016-11-0416 minThe Sound of EconomicsOpportunities and challenges for EU-China trade relationsIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, we focus on trade relations between the EU and China.
We asked Alicia Garcia Herrero, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, where relations between China and the EU stand at the moment, and why their trade relations are so important.
Currently the US seems more interested in the Pacific than its Atlantic alliance. Does this situation leave any room for the EU and China to get closer? We asked Pascal Lamy, former General Director- of the World Trade Organisation.
Lawrence Lau, Professor of Economics at the University...2016-11-0413 minThe Sound of EconomicsBrexit: the way forwardIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, a panel of experts from Bruegel and the Financial Times discuss the outlook for the UK and Europe.
There is still a lot of uncertainty about the future, but some key questions are becoming clear.
What will be the impact of Brexit on politics and business?
Is the UK retracting not only from Europe, but also from globalisation?
How should Europe react to what is happening in the UK, and could the EU offer any flexibility on migration and ECJ jurisdiction?
This episode was recorded...2016-11-0410 minThe Sound of EconomicsUnlocking the potential of innovationThis episode of The Sound of Economics focuses on innovation. There is widespread agreement that innovation is vital for European economy, but how can we get from smart ideas to economic growth?
We asked Reinhilde Veugelers, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, why innovation matters for our economies, and why it is important for the components of the innovation system to be interconnected.
Dominique Guellec, Head of Science and Technological Policy in the Directorate of Science at the OECD, to shared with us his opinion on the main weaknesses in European innovation.
We also spoke...2016-11-0412 minThe Sound of EconomicsDecarbonisation and climate change: looking aheadIn this episode of The Sound of Economics, we focus the issue of decarbonisation and the fight against climate change.
Decarbonisation is at the heart of EU energy and climate policy. And the recent ratification of the Paris Agreement makes decarbonisation targets some of the EU’s most important international commitments.
Progress towards the 2020 targets has been impressive. But the 2020 framework is now being replaced by new targets. The EU wants an 80-95 percent reduction in emissions by 2050, with an intermediate target of 40 percent by 2030.
We asked Simone Tagliapietra, Research Fellow at Bruegel, wh...2016-11-0411 min
The Sound of EconomicsWhat the Eurozone can learn from US monetary historyThe Sound of Economics is a series of podcasts about economic policy, brought to you by Bruegel.
Each episode focuses on a key economic policy debate.
In this episode we are joined by Jeffry Frieden, Professor of Government at Harvard University.
EPISODE 3
Many in the EU look to the USA as a model for monetary union in the Eurozone. But how easy was it to create such a union, and what can Europe learn from the USA’s experience?
This podcast was recorded when Jeffry Frieden visited Bruegel on 25 May 2016 to give a le...2016-08-1217 minThe Sound of EconomicsBrexit: what happens now?The sound of economics is a series of podcasts about economic policy, brought to you by Bruegel.
Each episode will look at a key economic policy debate, discuss why it is important and explore some of the work that Bruegel's researchers have done in the area.
This is a special edition about the UK leaving the EU:
On 23 June, the UK voted to leave the European Union, and the UK government will soon begin the process to withdraw from the European Union.
What will this huge change mean for the future of the European...2016-06-2417 min
The Sound of EconomicsEuropean Fiscal RulesThe sound of economics is a series of podcasts about economic policy, brought to you by Bruegel.
Each episode will look at a key economic policy debate, discuss why it is important and explore some of the work that Bruegel's researchers have done in the area.
This episode is about European fiscal rules.
EPISODE 1
The strong fiscal tightening implemented in many European countries since 2010 has contributed to the poor economic recovery in Europe. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of the EU’s fiscal rules in achieving their two main objectives: pu...2016-06-1416 min