AGI

Geoeconomics

The AGI Geoeconomics Program promotes original thinking and debate on U.S., German, and EU global economic strategy with a focus on ways that trade, climate, financial, and technology policies can advance their shared interests, prosperity, and values.
Reset

Long-Term Questions for Short-Term European Strategy

In a recent essay from the German Marshall Fund of the United States entitled Long-Term Questions for Short-Term European Strategy, author Joseph Wood takes a look at the wide array of commentary on the future of Europe sparked by the current crisis. While Europe struggles to find any short-term answers, they must capitalize on this opportunity to lay out concrete plans for the future of the euro, as well as the Union.

Germans Love Europe, but Not the Euro

In a recent Op-Ed from the New York Times entitled Germans Love Europe, but Not the Euro, former German Ambassador to the United States Wolfgang Ischinger explains how Germany’s reluctance to fully embrace the euro, along with their love of the status quo, has led to their slow efforts at fixing the Union’s crisis. For Chancellor Merkel to lead Europe out of this crisis, she will need to convince Germany that any rescue measures are not simply for the currency, but for the future of the entire Union.

The Upcoming Blame Game

In his essay entitled The Upcoming Blame Game, frequent AICGS contributor Alexander Privitera explores the finger pointing being used by leaders on both sides of the Atlantic in the face of the economic crisis. According to Mr. Privitera, with elections coming up in several countries, including the U.S. and France, not only could the transatlantic blame game get worse, but we may even witness a standstill in policy-making as a whole — the last thing a pair of faltering economies can afford.

The Dirty Secret of the U.S.-European Relationship

Underneath the cloak of a never-ending list of foreign issues lies the heart of the transatlantic relationship: trade. According to the essay The Dirty Secret of U.S.-European Relations by Jan Techau, Director of Carnegie Europe and a frequent AICGS program participant, this makes for a “boring” partnership, despite the general goodwill between both sides. However, with the economic crisis continuing to weaken the global positions of the U.S. and Europe, both sides will have to begin to build a more meaningful relationship to stave off their respective declines.

Germany’s Vote Does Not Equate to a Blank Check

In his essay entitled Germany’s Vote Does Not Equate to a Blank Check, frequent AICGS contributor Alexander Privitera explains that Merkel and her coalition survived the latest vote on the EFSF, but that the vote may signal a line in the sand for German assistance to profligate members of the euro.

Changing Transatlantic Equations

In his essay entitled A New Equation for the Transatlantic Alliance, recently published in the Strategic Europe essay series from Carnegie Europe, Executive Director Jack Janes looks at the unprecedented rise of a deeply integrated Europe, one that is still struggling to find its course within the context of the global stage. Amidst all the current debate about the euro, it is important not to lose sight of how far Europe has come despite the many challenges ahead.

Merkel’s Moment

In her article entitled Merkel’s Moment, originally published in the International Herald Tribune, Margarita Mathiopoulos, participant in AICGS events, suggests that it is time for Germany to come to terms with its leadership role in Europe. This realization, argues Ms. Mathiopoulos, begins with Chancellor Merkel’s willingness to lead Europe through its current crises.

Bundestag Approves Increase in EFSF Fund

There is an expression in German soccer that says: after the game is before the game. You may have won or lost one game but the next one is fast approaching, sometimes with little time to prepare…the German Bundestag was an important “game” for the Chancellor to prove that she has sufficient support to push her agenda forward.

“Eine Stimme über Europa – und ihre innenpolitischen Konsequenzen”

In his essay “Eine Abstimmung über Europa – und ihre innenpolitischen Konsequenzen…,” current NRW/AICGS Fellow Jan Treibel examines the divisions within the ruling coalition in Germany over further financial assistance to the Euro and how this could spell disaster to the parties in power.

European Journey – Pitfalls, Promises, Purposes

In the week’s At Issue, executive director Jack Janes explains how current tensions over the future of the euro make up another chapter of Europe’s long path to a deeper and wider Union. Today’s challenges echo those of the past, but dealing with them will require stronger arguments about the promises beyond the pitfalls.

Europe’s Lehman Moment

How did Europe get into the financial crisis it is currently facing? In his article entitled Europe’s Lehman Moment, Jeffry A. Frieden, Professor of Government at Harvard University and AICGS event speaker, seeks to explain the history behind the fiscal issues in Europe and what may happen if a solution is not found.

“If the Greeks just did their Homework…”

In his essay entitled “If the Greeks just did their Homework…,” DAAD/AICGS current fellow Benjamin Herborth explains that beneath the current turmoil over internal divisions in the German governing coalition regarding a position on the Greek debt crisis lies yet another problem. Taken for granted on both sides of the division is a more assertive rhetoric, which belittles Greece, and thus complicates co-operative solutions.