Michael Weilandt

CFR Staff

Michael Weilandt

Research Associate, Geoeconomics

Michael Weilandt is a research associate for geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, he worked as an economic consultant and completed an internship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Tulane University.

China

China’s FX Playbook: December 2024

This is this first blog in an ongoing series which will provide a monthly look at the various indicators of China’s foreign exchange management.

by Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt January 29, 2025 Follow the Money
China

China’s Stunning 2024 Export Growth

Chinese exports are growing much faster in volume than in dollar terms. Europe is losing out.

by Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt December 17, 2024 Follow the Money
Economics

The U.S. Income Balance Puzzle

The long-standing surplus in the U.S. investment income account, often cited as evidence of “exorbitant privilege,” is receding. It already goes away without the income from profit-shifting by U.S. multinationals.

by Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt November 3, 2024 Follow the Money
Economics

American Pharmaceutical Companies Aren’t Paying Any Tax in the United States

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has substantially reduced the domestic tax paid by American pharmaceutical giants.

by Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt July 22, 2024 Follow the Money
RealEcon

Mobilizing Clean Energy Financing through the Multilateral Development Banks

A new paper published by the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR) puts forward an ambitious agenda for innovation in clean energy finance.

by Brad W. Setser, Tess Turner and Michael Weilandt June 24, 2024 Follow the Money
Russia

Estimating Future Interest Income From Russia’s Frozen Reserves

Outright seizure of the Russian Central Bank’s hundreds of billions in frozen assets is currently off the table, but it is still possible to obtain large sums for Ukraine from the interest income on these assets.

by Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt June 11, 2024 Follow the Money
Economics

The IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings: What to Know

The IMF and World Bank’s spring meetings will focus on the prospects for a soft landing after years of global economic turbulence. But major challenges remain, including growing climate finance needs and persistently high global debt levels.

by Michael Weilandt April 12, 2024
China

China’s Record Manufacturing Surplus

The U.S. likes talking about the dominance of the dollar. But don’t short-change China’s current dominance of manufacturing trade. Trade imbalances need to be taken seriously again.

by Brad W. Setser, Michael Weilandt and Volkmar Baur March 10, 2024 Follow the Money
Brad W. Setser

China

China Has a $1 Trillion Head Start in Any Tariff Fight

Featuring Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt via Wall Street Journal January 16, 2025
Michael Weilandt

China

China’s Exports Are Surging. Get Ready for the Global Backlash.

Featuring Michael Weilandt and Brad W. Setser via New York Times March 12, 2024
Energy and Environment

Research Commentary: U.S. Leadership in Scaling Capital for Multilateral Clean Energy Finance

with Lily Bermel, Brian C. Deese, Brad W. Setser, Tess Turner and Michael Weilandt via MIT CEEPR June 4, 2024
Brad W. Setser

Economics

Intervention in Currency Markets Can Work

Featuring Brad W. Setser and Michael Weilandt via Financial Times August 27, 2024

Iran

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

by CFR Editors January 9, 2026

Climate Change

Paris to Kyoto: The History of UN Climate Agreements

International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say countries aren’t doing enough to limit dangerous global warming.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 9, 2026 Renewing America

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Freedoms: What China Promised and How It’s Cracking Down

Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in recent years, dimming hopes that the financial center will ever become a full democracy.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong December 15, 2025

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