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Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Reimagining American Economic Leadership
The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global Economy
As a potential U.S. Treasury secretary, Robert Lighthizer has more than trade policy to revolutionize.
Trade Offs
A regular series on the choices faced by international economic policymakers
Global risks–including Chinese overcapacity–have increased, but government intervention should seek to minimize trade-offs.
Featured Analysis From RealEcon
Exploring three key areas of international economic policy: trade and investment, development, and economic security, i.e., technology controls, supply-chain-resilience measures, and other policies to reduce risk to the economy or national security
Trade and Investment
Development
In-Person DC Roundtable: Falling Global Fertility and Its Implications for Climate Change, Political Stability, and Economies
Event by Thomas J. Bollyky, Ann Norris, and Christopher J. Murray
Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific: An ADB Perspective
Article by Christopher Shim
Brazil Should Use G20 Momentum to Join the OECD
Article by Heidi Crebo-Rediker
Economic Security
Virtual Media Briefing: U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Media Briefing by Matthew P. Goodman, Brad W. Setser, and Zongyuan Zoe Liu
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Tests U.S. Supply Chains
Expert Brief by Zongyuan Zoe Liu
In the Age of AI, Personal Data Security Is National Security
Article by Kat Duffy and Kyle Fendorf
More From RealEcon
RealEcon Launched
RealEcon is a CFR initiative to assess the role of the United States in the international economy, analyze what is at stake for the American people, and identify the trade-offs in different policy approaches.
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For the First Time, the U.S. Is Spending More on Debt Interest than Defense
The Fed’s new “higher for longer” rate stance spotlights a looming problem for the U.S. economy: the growth of the federal debt.
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Power and Financial Interdependence
My new paper for the Geoeconomics and Geofinance Initiative of the Institute Français des Relations Internationals’ (IFRI) explores the history of the Sino-American financial relationship.
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A Second China Shock, With Brad Setser
Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of China’s export surge.
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As a potential U.S. Treasury secretary, Robert Lighthizer has more than trade policy to revolutionize.
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Global risks–including Chinese overcapacity–have increased, but government intervention should seek to minimize trade-offs.
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The Federal Reserve’s dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment presents trade-offs as the Fed grapples with the next move of interest rates.
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From ginseng farms to food-processing facilities, Wisconsin businesses shine light on how trade policy and foreign investment impact rural America.
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Policymakers face complex cost-benefit considerations when intervening in the market to mitigate perceived risks, from climate change to competition with China.
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As part of the CFR RealEcon Roundtable Series, Scott Morris, vice president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), explained how the ADB supports countries in the Indo-Pacific region amid shifting geopolitics.
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The World Bank and IMF have concluded their spring meetings, but questions remain on China, lending capacity, and balancing the interests of rich and poor countries.
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The response to the temporary closure of the Port of Baltimore—from a deadly tanker collision—demonstrates the resilience of U.S. supply chains despite fears of costly disruptions.
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Policymakers are increasingly concerned by the U.S.’s dependence on Taiwanese semiconductors. Is onshoring their production to the U.S.—a goal of the CHIPS and Science Act—a practical path forward?
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Under Biden and Trump, the U.S. has broken from its long-standing free trade policy. CFR trade experts assess whether the rules-based trading system is worth saving.
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With RealEcon, CFR is creating an initiative to study and debate the role of the United States in the international economy. The launch event of this multiyear, multifaceted initiative will explore what the challenges are for U.S. leadership, what is at stake for American interests, and what new approaches would be helpful to rebuild an affirmative consensus on American economic leadership. Chair Jared Bernstein of the Council of Economic Advisers discusses the future of U.S. economic leadership as CFR launches its new RealEcon initiative. Immediately following the conversation with Chair Bernstein, there will be a panel discussion on the new initiative. Members may bring a guest to this event.
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In crafting a new international economic policy that works for Americans and advances U.S. interests, policymakers will have to weigh multiple trade-offs.