EconPol Policy Briefs

Rising protectionism and geoeconomic tensions pose a major challenge, especially for the EU. In many cases, however, the key to strengthening economic security lies in deepening international trade relations, not in protecting domestic production. This policy brief presents four propositions on the future direction of the EU’s foreign economic policy.

In the new legislative period, the EU Commission will need a well-thought-out economic policy agenda to respond to the changed geopolitical challenges and to strengthen its competitiveness. This policy brief analyzes the main economic challenges ahead.

Climate change has an effect on all areas of development in poor countries due to its impact on the agricultural sector. The EU development policy should support innovative financial mechanisms for family farms and work towards the opening of product markets and the free movement of people.

Over the past decade, crises have shaped public perceptions of the EU. Despite the rise of EU-critical parties, the EU and its institutions still enjoy higher levels of trust than national governments.

One reason why the European asylum system is overloaded is the lack of opportunities to enter the EU legally. Especially for low-skilled people, the chances of obtaining work visas in Europe are vanishingly small. Here is what the EU and Germany could do about it.