The Sound of Economics

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie is joined by James Baxter, Ambassador, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, and Ignacio García Bercero, a Bruegel Non-resident fellow and former EU trade official, to discuss the 30-year journey of the World Trade Organization. Together, they examine the achievements and crises that have shaped the WTO, delve into the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, and explore opportunities for reform in dispute settlement, digital trade, and sustainable development.

How will the EU springboard from the tumult of 2024 to meet the challenges ahead? In this episode of the Sound of Economics, Bruegel director Jeromin Zettelmeyer and senior fellows Heather Grabbe and André Sapir discuss the year that was with host Rebecca Christie. Industrial policy, tensions with China and the U.S., and green transition’s immense financing needs all figure in to Europe’s quest to become more competitive. Will the EU be prepared for the next crisis? Browse through Bruegel's highlights of 2024, a curated collection of our research in the past year.

In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie invites Heather Grabbe and Thomas Viegas to explore the intersection of biodiversity and economic policy. The discussion highlights the critical importance of integrating nature conservation into financial frameworks. The guests delve into systemic risks posed by biodiversity loss, the role of public and private finance, and strategies to address harmful subsidies. They also emphasize the necessity of aligning economic systems with natural limits to ensure sustainable development and long-term resilience.

The EU’s Global Gateway Initiative aims to mobilize €300 billion for global infrastructure by 2027, but how does it compare to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Host Yuyun Zhan discusses this with Alicia García-Herrero and Romana Vlahutin. They explore the initiative’s origins, progresses and challenges, and how Europe can sharpen its strategy to balance development goals with economic interests. 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 to receive it in your mailbox!