The growing influence of BRICS+ and what it means for Europe
The world economy is entering a new phase, one where the traditional dominance of Western powers is increasingly being challenged by a coalition of emerging economies: BRICS+
Europe’s single market: The EU’s strategic anchor in an era of fragmentation
With Donald Trump back in the headlines and global fragmentation accelerating, the European Union faces mounting external pressures — from rising protectionism to weaponized trade and geopolitical instability. In this volatile environment, Europe’s single market emerges as a fundamental strategic asset — critical to the EU’s economic resilience, competitiveness, and even geopolitical autonomy.
Germany and Spain: A tale of two housing markets facing hard choices
In the aftermath of the eurozone sovereign debt crisis, countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and Italy became synonymous with economic fragility. Yet, under a decade on, a remarkable narrative shift is underway, with these so-called peripheral economies now outpacing Europe's traditional economic powerhouses in growth, investor confidence, and reform momentum.
Recalibrating EU trade policy in the second era of Trump tariffs
With transatlantic trade tensions escalating fast, and the United States rolling out a new wave of tariffs on key partners—including the European Union—Europe faces a moment of reckoning for its trade strategy. In the latest Future is Blue podcast, I sat down with two top experts to unpack what’s at stake: Ignacio García Bercero, non-resident fellow at Bruegel and former EU chief trade negotiator with the U.S., and Miguel Ángel González Simón, economist at Funcas.