Foreign Affaris & Security Policy – Working Group
International Economic Relations
Building global prosperity through collaboration
The Working Group International Economic Relations analyses global trade, investment, and economic policy in relation to foreign affairs. It examines trade agreements, sanctions, and economic cooperation between major powers, including the UK, EU, US, and China. Key areas include emerging markets and the role of technology in global finance. Twice a year, reports are published with research on economic stability, equitable growth, and the impact of financial policies on international relations.
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Publications
Brazil and De-dollarization
The BRICS alliance has been debating alternatives to dollar-based global transactions for years. This initiative aims to diminish reliance on a singular reserve currency while fortifying financial sovereignty among member states. During the latest BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva intensified this position by advocating for the establishment of alternative transaction mechanisms between member nations. The implementation of a local currency ...
Octavian-Teodor Dragon
The Lobito Corridor
Nacima Kerouad 1. Introduction Africa is a continent full of economic potential. It’s rich in resources, home to the youngest population in the world, and is attracting growing attention from global investors. According to the African Development Bank’s 2025 Macroeconomic Performances and Outlook report, 24 African countries are expected to see real GDP growth above 5% in 2025. At the same time, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is ...
The U.S New Oil Drilling Policies
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced a landmark move that would ban all future offshore oil and natural gas drilling in large parts of U.S. waters. That ban includes the East and West Coasts, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska's North Bering Sea, blocking more than 625 million acres of ocean from possible drilling activities. The decision made by Biden, which is grounded in the Outer Continental Shelf ...
Navigating China after an Election
With a snap election happening on February 23, Germany once again finds itself on the crossroads regarding China policy. Unlike in 2021 however, the new government has to face an even bigger set of internal problems ranging from the stagnating economy to security issues. With the Union predicted to once again win back control of the Chancellery, what changes could we expect to see on China policy? A Harder Line ...
A Review of the Two Sessions
Ondrej Theodor Krejci Tin Ching Leung In early March 2025, the annual meeting of China’s National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CCPPC) took place. Known colloquially as the “Two Sessions”, these meetings are a chance for China watchers to learn about the policy priorities of the Chinese government for the coming year. Despite the NPC being the official legislat ivebody of China, policies and initiatives ...
Trump’s Trade War and Its Mixed Impact on Brazil
It started with a bang out of Washington, a tariff shockwave that few saw coming and even fewer were ready for. When Donald Trump, back for a second term, unleashed a sweeping 10 percent "base tariff" on all U.S. imports this April, global trade lines buckled. China, the primary target, was hit even harder. Tariffs on Chinese goods spiraled from 34 percent to 104 percent, then surged to a staggering ...