The Sound of Economics

Exploding energy prices

"Why the sudden spike in European electricity and gas prices? Wholesale gas prices have reached record highs in the past months, leaving EU governments scrambling for emergency aid to help households cope with their rising…

Unboxing the State of the Union 2021

"In this Sound of Economics Live episode, Bruegel experts look at the State of the Union address delivered by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. On 15 September Ursula von der Leyen,…

The EU recovery fund – state of play and outlook

"Live from the Annual Meetings: Bruegel Director Guntram Wolff discusses the EU recovery fund, its state of play and outlook with Nadia Calviño, First Vice-President and Minister for Economy and Digitalization of Spain and Professor…

A fitting plan for the European Green Deal?

How does the world's first roadmap to meeting climate goals stack up? On 14 July, the European Commission finally announced a large package of measures that will make the EU the first mover in the…

Restarting the economy?

"While the end of the pandemic is still far, the economy will have to restart. When COVID-19 struck last spring, European governments rapidly implemented measures to keep businesses afloat. Did those policies support productive firms…

Avoiding a requiem for the WTO

"The WTO has been 'missing in action': how can we restore the organisation's role as a global forum for cooperation on trade? As the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between…

A transatlantic climate alliance

"When Joe Biden visits Europe for the first time as US president, he should begin forging a transatlantic green deal. President Biden is visiting Brussels for the first time since his inauguration on 14 June,…

Belarus: a test for Europe’s foreign policy?

"The forced landing of an internal EU flight is just the latest development in the President of Belarus’ efforts to cling to power. The recent forced landing of an internal EU flight to arrest opposition…

Towards a global corporate tax?

"How will a global corporate tax affect the modern economy? The idea of a global corporate tax has been floating around for decades, but a US proposal for a 15% of a global minimum tax…

A stronger euro comes with more responsibility

"What does strategic sovereignty mean to and for Europe? European 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…

The future of China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment

Untangling the politics behind the EU – China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment Recent sanctions and counter-sanctions between the EU and China have put the future of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) in doubt. Where…

To infinity and beyond: the European space sector and industrial policy

Where does Europe stand in the global race for space? This is a very special moment for space exploration. The beginning of April will see the maiden flight of the first helicopter to another planet.…