The Sound of Economics podcast

The Sound of Economics

·

  Bruegel  

The Sound of Economics brings you insights, debates, and research-based discussions on economic policy in Europe and beyond. The podcast is produced by Bruegel, an independent and non-doctrinal think tank based in Brussels. It seeks to contribute to European and global economic policy-making through open, fact-based, and policy-relevant research, analysis, and debate.

The Sound of Economics brings you insights, debates, and research-based discussions on economic policy in Europe and beyond. The podcast is produced by Bruegel, an independent and non-doctrinal think tank based in Brussels. It seeks to contribute to European and global economic policy-making through open, fact-based, and policy-relevant research, analysis, and debate.

 

#361

Do EU tech rules add up?

How does the EU manage its increasingly vast number of digital laws? [Bertin Martens] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/bertin-martens) , [Kai Zenner] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/kai-zenner) and [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) discuss how these rules are made, how they work together and how they fit in with the EU's goal of better regulation in this episode of The Sound of Economics. Relevant research: [A dataset on EU legislation for the digital world] (https://www.bruegel.org/dataset/dataset-eu-legislation-digital-world) , Bruegel dataset by Kai Zenner, J. Scott Marcus and Kamil Sekut ... Read more

30 Apr 2024

44 MINS

44:07

30 Apr 2024


#360

Zooming in on the US-China tech rivalry

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Yuyun Zhan] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/yuyun-zhan) sits down with [Alicia García-Herrero] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alicia-garcia-herrero) and [Paul Triolo] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/paul-triolo) to discuss China’s innovation drive and how it compares with the US on key technologies, including semiconductors, green technology and biotech. They delve into how China climbed up the technology ladder, the impact of current geopolitical tensions and the outlook of US-China tech rivalry. This 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] (https://bruegel.secure.force.com/events/UpdateAcc?sf=1&s4=1) to receive it in your mailbox! ... Read more

24 Apr 2024

49 MINS

49:04

24 Apr 2024


#359

What visions for Europe? Unpacking EU parties’ economic strategies

Bruegel and the Financial Times partnered up to host a debate featuring representatives from EU political parties on EU economic issues, specifically competitiveness and growth, economic security and green transition. [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) sits down with Bruegel Senior fellow [Heather Grabbe] (https://www.bruegel.org/node/845/speaker/nojs?event=9640) , FT Europe correspondent [Andy Bounds] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/andy-bounds) , also moderator of the debate, to unpack the views they gathered from the debate. What economic visions did the parties present? Are they impressed or convinced by some ideas? Listen to find out. ICYMI, watch the debate recording [here] (https://www.bruegel.org/event/visions-europe-economic-expert-debate-2024-eu-elections) ! ... Read more

18 Apr 2024

36 MINS

36:25

18 Apr 2024


#358

Climate change, the next big financial threat

Climate change is a rising threat to European financial stability, says European Stability Mechanism chief economist [Rolf Strauch] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rolf-strauch) on this episode of The Sound of Economics. Together with Bruegel non-resident fellow [Stavros Zenios] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/stavros-zenios) and host [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) , Strauch discusses how the EU can rally to protect itself from future shocks and keep its sovereign debt backstops ready to meet future needs.  ... Read more

17 Apr 2024

40 MINS

40:54

17 Apr 2024


#357

1982: the debt crisis that could have destroyed Western banking

Science Po professor [Jérôme Sgard ] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/jerome-sgard) discusses his new book on the debt crisis of the 1980s on this episode of The Sound of Economics, with host [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) and award-winning book author and journalist [Paul Blustein] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/paul-blustein) . They explore the shockwaves that hit developing countries during this period, starting with the quasi-default of Mexico in 1982, as well as the Brady bond debt relief plan that followed. This podcast addresses the global impact of this this crisis and the subsequent recovery, along with what we can learn going forward.  ... Read more

10 Apr 2024

32 MINS

32:31

10 Apr 2024


#356

One grid to rule them all? The future of a European single electricity market

In this episode of the sound of economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) invites [Georg Zachmann] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/georg-zachmann) and [Christian Zinglersen] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/christian-zinglersen) to talk about the ambitious idea of creating a more integrated European electricity market. They discuss the drastic change in Europe’s energy outlook, as we switch from a world of fossil imports to mostly domestic electricity production. They address the benefits of a better-coordinated European energy system, as well as the need for improved communication between member states, harmonised market instruments, and joint investment in infrastructure to achieve greater efficiency and resilience. They lay out the complexity of this cross-sectoral challenge and stress that this needs strong political will and trust to move forward. Relevant publication and event: --- Zachmann, G., C. Batlle, F. Beaude, C. Maurer, M. Morawiecka and F. Roques (2024) ‘ [Unity in power, power in unity: why the EU needs more integrated electricity markets] (https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/unity-power-power-unity-why-eu-needs-more-integrated-electricity-markets) ’, Policy Brief 2024/03, Bruegel --- [Why the EU needs more integrated electricity markets] (https://www.bruegel.org/event/unity-power-power-unity-why-eu-needs-more-integrated-electricity-markets) , Bruegel event, 28 February 2024 ... Read more

03 Apr 2024

41 MINS

41:42

03 Apr 2024


#355

Capital markets union - why now?

European Union leaders want to breathe new life into the Capital markets union, the decade-old project to reduce fragmentation and put finance to work for the single market. In this episode of the Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) sits down with [Thomas Wieser] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/thomas-wieser) , former President of the Eurogroup Working Group and chair of the EU's 2019 High Level Group on financial architecture, and [Nicolas Véron] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/nicolas-veron) , Senior fellow at Bruegel and a veteran observer of the financial markets, to discuss how Europe can attract private investment and help fund the costly green and digital transition. Relevant publication: [European capital markets union: make it or break it] (https://www.bruegel.org/first-glance/european-capital-markets-union-make-it-or-break-it) , Nicolas Véron, Bruegel first glance, March 2024 ... Read more

27 Mar 2024

42 MINS

42:10

27 Mar 2024


#354

Key take-aways from China’s Two Sessions

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Yuyun Zhan] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/yuyun-zhan) sits down with [Alicia García-Herrero] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alicia-garcia-herrero) and [Zichen Wang] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/zichen-wang) to talk about China’s Two Sessions, the Chinese government's annual plenary sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held from 4–11 March 2024. They discuss the growth targets which were given during the sessions and what they might mean for the Chinese economy. This 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] (https://bruegel.secure.force.com/events/UpdateAcc?sf=1&s4=1) to receive it in your mailbox! Relevant episode: [Understanding local government debt in China] (https://www.bruegel.org/podcast/understanding-local-government-debt-china) , Bruegel podcast episode ... Read more

20 Mar 2024

26 MINS

26:55

20 Mar 2024


#353

How war in Ukraine brought Europe together

Two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has held together rather than let the conflict divide it. [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) discusses the EU’s shifts on trade, energy security and economic cooperation with [André Sapir] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/andre-sapir) and [Ben McWilliams] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/ben-mcwilliams) . They discuss how the bloc weaned itself off Russian fossil fuels in record time, adjusted its relationship with China, and managed relations between Western Europe and countries in Central and Eastern Europe closer to the front.  ... Read more

13 Mar 2024

39 MINS

39:41

13 Mar 2024


#352

The complexities of AI regulation

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) is joined by [Bertin Martens] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/bertin-martens) , Bruegel Senior fellow and [Werner Stengg] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/werner-stengg) , expert of EVP Margrethe Vestager’s cabinet. They explore the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, focusing on the European Union's AI Act. They discuss the goals and potential effectiveness of the new artificial intelligence rules, including in areas like data use, copyright, antitrust and global competitiveness.  ... Read more

06 Mar 2024

40 MINS

40:31

06 Mar 2024


#351

South Korea's semiconductor strategy

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Yuyun Zhan] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/yuyun-zhan) sits down with [Alicia García-Herrero] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alicia-garcia-herrero) and [ June Park ] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/june-park) to talk about South Korea’s semiconductor industry, specifically how geopolitical tensions like China’s localisation needs and US export controls could impact the sector. They also discuss South Korea’s economic relations with both of those countries and how they are affected by the semiconductor industry. They discuss if Europe can become an optimal destination for South Korean chipmakers’ diversification strategy, whether the bloc can keep up with the pace of technological innovation and if it can compete with regions like the US and Japan. This 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] (https://bruegel.secure.force.com/events/UpdateAcc?sf=1&s4=1) to receive it in your mailbox! ... Read more

28 Feb 2024

36 MINS

36:16

28 Feb 2024


#350

What to do with frozen Russian assets

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) invites MEP [Johan Van Overtveldt] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/johan-van-overtveldt) and Bruegel Senior fellow [Nicolas Véron] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/nicolas-veron) to talk about the impact of the sanctions on Russian assets in the global financial system and what that means in terms of systemic risk for Belgium, for Europe and for the world. They discuss possible avenues where the EU could utilise 200 billion frozen Russian assets, in particular a recently proposed plan to use the assets as collateral and take out a loan to help fund Ukraine. Explore more of Bruegel's [research on Ukraine.] (https://www.bruegel.org/country/ukraine)   ... Read more

21 Feb 2024

42 MINS

42:34

21 Feb 2024


#349

Strengthening EU competitivenss

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) sits down with [Oya Celasun] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/oya-celasun) , Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund’s European Department, and [Jeromin Zettelmeyer] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/jeromin-zettelmeyer) , Director of Bruegel, to talk about EU competitiveness. They define what the term means; discuss whether the EU has a competitiveness problem; and if so, how it can be fixed. ... Read more

14 Feb 2024

44 MINS

44:57

14 Feb 2024


#348

Skills anticipation for the green transition

In the final episode of The Skills podcast series, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) discusses with [Duygu Güner] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/duygu-guner) and [Francesca Rosso] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/francesca-rosso) on skills anticipation. They talk about the new skills that are emerging and the impact of skills anticipation on education and training. They also talk about providing the required skills needed for the green transition and about creating a smooth process for all workers, regardless of their skill level. This is part of a special [Skills ] (https://www.bruegel.org/podcast-series/skills) series of The Sound of Economics, where we discuss how we can utilise upskilling and reskilling initiatives to protect vulnerable groups of the workforce, how to build a resilient workforce and create a better functioning EU labour market.  ... Read more

07 Feb 2024

30 MINS

30:49

07 Feb 2024


#347

Ten years of Europe’s banking union

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) sits down with [Nicolas Véron] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/nicolas-veron) and [Harald Waiglein] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/harald-waiglein) to look at the status of Europe’s banking union. They discuss how the project started, how it is going and the political climate that has brought us to this stage of the project. They also point out the unfinished business including insurance, the crisis management framework and more. ... Read more

31 Jan 2024

50 MINS

50:53

31 Jan 2024


#346

Industrial strategies for Europe’s green transition

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) invites [Chiara Criscuolo] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/chiara-criscuolo) and [Reinhilde Veugelers] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/reinhilde-veugelers) . The speakers argue that the current pace of innovation is too slow to face the challenge of climate change and that a range of barriers and market failures remain at the root of the problem. To resolve these, a mission-oriented industrial strategy for the green transition is needed. Relevant publication: --- [Industrial strategies for Europe’s green transition] (https://www.bruegel.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/Bruegel%20Blueprint%2033_chapter%207.pdf) , Chapter by Chiara Criscuolo, Antoine Dechezlepretre and Guy Lalanne, Bruegel Blueprint ( [Sparking Europe’s new industrial revolution: A policy for net zero, growth and resilience] (https://www.bruegel.org/book/sparking-europes-new-industrial-revolution-policy-net-zero-growth-and-resilience) ), July 2023  --- [Did COVID-19 accelerate the green transition?] (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/did-covid-19-accelerate-the-green-transition_5b486c18-en) OECD paper, June 2023 --- [Industrial policy and strategies] (https://www.oecd.org/industry/industrial-policy-and-strategies/) , OECD project --- [Quantifying industrial strategies] (https://www.oecd.org/industry/industrial-policy-and-strategies/quantifying-industrial-strategies/) , OECD project ... Read more

24 Jan 2024

36 MINS

36:27

24 Jan 2024


#345

China’s third attempt to internationalise its currency

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Yuyun Zhan] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/yuyun-zhan) invites [Alessia Amighini] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alessia-amighini) and [Alicia García-Herrero ] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alicia-garcia-herrero) to discuss China’s latest push to internationalise its currency, the Renminbi. They talk about China’s previous two attempts, its approach to internationalise the RMB this time around and the wider implications of a strengthened RMB. This might prompt other countries to try and strengthen their own currencies, which could lead to a more fragmented financial system. Our experts discuss how the euro, compared to the dollar, might be more affected by this. Relevant publications: --- Amighini, A. and A. García-Herrero (2023) ‘ [Third time lucky? China’s push to internationalise the renminbi] (https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/third-time-lucky-chinas-push-internationalise-renminbi) ’, Policy Brief 20/2023, Bruegel --- [China’s second attempt to internationalise the RMB by launching its own digital currency] (https://mailchi.mp/00477df675e4/zhnghu-mundus-bruegels-monthly-china-newsletter) , ZhōngHuá Mundus newsletter, April 2021 This 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] (https://bruegel.secure.force.com/events/UpdateAcc?sf=1&s4=1) to receive it in your mailbox! ... Read more

17 Jan 2024

28 MINS

28:08

17 Jan 2024


#344

Taking stock of EU economic security

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) sits down with [Isabelle Mejean] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/isabelle-mejean) and [Niclas Poitiers] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/niclas-poitiers) to discuss EU economic security. They start with the various definitions of the term, how their research fits into the current knowledge gap and they give policy recommendations on how to strengthen economic security in the bloc in areas like diversification, industrial policy, anti-coercion instruments and so on. ... Read more

10 Jan 2024

41 MINS

41:26

10 Jan 2024


#343

A year in review

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) invites [Heather Grabbe] (https://www.bruegel.org/node/845/speaker/nojs?event=9173) , [Jean Pisani-Ferry] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/jean-pisani-ferry) , [Fiona M. Scott Morton] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/fiona-m-scott-morton) and [Jeromin Zettelmeyer] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/jeromin-zettelmeyer) to do a yearly round-up of significant economic policy developments from Europe and the world. They discuss the implication of wars and recent European elections, interest rate hikes, green investment, industrial policy, EU fiscal rules reform and digital regulations. ... Read more

20 Dec 2023

48 MINS

48:12

20 Dec 2023


#342

Expectations and outcomes of the 24th EU-China summit

On 7 December 2023, the 24th EU-China Summit took place in Beijing, where President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Charles Michel, met with China’s President, Xi Jinping and Premier, Li Qiang. Although both sides had various topics they wanted to address, there appeared to be minimal results. In this episode of The Sound of Economics, [Yuyun Zhan] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/yuyun-zhan) and [Alicia García-Herrero] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/alicia-garcia-herrero) invite [Liwei Wang] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/liwei-wang) to take a deep dive into the expectations and outcomes of the Summit. They talk about the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, the EU’s trade deficit with China and China’s market access among various other topics. They also look at the road forward on EU-China dialogues and discuss the areas on which the two powers can work together more such as climate transition and artificial intelligence regulation. This 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] (https://bruegel.secure.force.com/events/UpdateAcc?sf=1&s4=1) to receive it in your mailbox! ... Read more

14 Dec 2023

29 MINS

29:29

14 Dec 2023


#341

Ukraine’s future with the EU

Ukraine is an official EU candidate since June 2022. In mid-December 2023, the leaders of EU countries are meeting to discuss whether to start official accession talks. In this episode of the Sound of Economics, recorded on December 8 2023,  [Rebecca Christie] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/rebecca-christie) invites [Zsolt Darvas] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/zsolt-darvas) and [Heather Grabbe] (https://www.bruegel.org/people/heather-grabbe) to look at the timeframe for the talks, the procedures and the criteria needed for Ukraine’s accession into the EU. They also discuss the costs of enlargement and what it might mean for the EU. Finally, they acknowledge the necessity for the union to show its solidarity with Ukraine, by opening official accession talks, helping the country to improve and reconstruct itself; and welcoming it to the EU when it has met the accession requirements. ... Read more

13 Dec 2023

38 MINS

38:39

13 Dec 2023