CFR.org - Global Economy in Crisis

Mercosur: South America's Fractious Trade Bloc

Joanna Klonsky, Associate Editor, Stephanie Hanson, and Brianna Lee — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:15:44 -0400

A profile of South America's largest trade bloc.

ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Isabella Bennett and Julie Ginsberg — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:52:33 -0400

As the global economic crisis increases the importance of trade, and China and the United States eye greater engagement with Southeast Asia, ASEAN may play a more robust role in the region.

The Global Finance Regime

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:19:48 -0500

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to regulate the global financial system. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

The Debate over Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade

Toni Johnson — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:25:32 -0400

Greenhouse gas trading is now a multibillion-dollar international business and is expected to continue to grow, despite uncertainty about a post-2012 international climate regime.

Confronting U.S.-China Economic Imbalances

Roya Wolverson and Christopher Alessi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:20:32 -0400

An undervalued Chinese yuan remains a contributing factor to the U.S.-China trade imbalance, but experts warn that labeling China a "currency manipulator" will not rein in mounting U.S. deficits.

Waiting on the Eurozone

Christopher Alessi — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:56:43 -0400

While Greece has failed to meet the budget requirements mandated by the EU and the IMF, experts say eurozone leaders will likely continue to bailout the country because the costs of letting it go are far greater.

Reviving U.S. Economic Leadership

A. Michael Spence and Christopher Alessi — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:45:50 -0400

Amid fears of another global recession, investors are focused on U.S. policymakers. Restoring confidence in the world's largest economy will require both national sacrifice and innovation--not more Fed intervention, says CFR's A. Michael Spence.

World Economic Update

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:00:54 -0400

Experts discuss the 'real cost' of the financial crisis, specifically after central banks implemented Quantitative Easing 2 last year. This series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

World Economic Update

Jacob A. Frenkel, Stephen S. Roach, Sebastian Mallaby, and Paul A. Volcker — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:37:31 -0400

Experts analyze the current state of the global economy.

The Road to Financial Regulatory Reform

Roya Wolverson — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:20:47 -0400

The global financial crisis prompted Congress to press for stronger U.S. financial regulations. But experts debate what level of government involvement will help the economy long term.

A Conversation with Ivan Seidenberg

Ivan Seidenberg and Alan S. Murray — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:00:10 -0400

Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Verizon Communications, discusses technology and innovation, as well as the implications of recent legislation on Verizon.

Healthcare Costs and U.S. Competitiveness

Toni Johnson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:33:28 -0400

Some analysts say healthcare costs hinder U.S. industry competitiveness in the global marketplace, but it's unclear whether proposed health reforms will offer any cost relief.

The Stimulus Report Card

Roya Wolverson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:25:08 -0500

The Obama administration says its 2009 stimulus package saved jobs and boosted growth, but Republicans and some economists worry it dampened consumer and business spending and added to long-term debt.

The Immigration Economy

David Scott Fitzgerald, Heidi Shierholz, Mark Krikorian, and James Carafano — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:38:48 -0500

Four experts debate whether Obama's immigration reform plan, including an expanded path to legalization, would help or harm U.S. workers and economic growth.

A Conversation with Kenneth R. Feinberg

Kenneth R. Feinberg, Richard E. Salomon, and Richard N. Haass — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:17:41 -0500

Watch Kenneth R. Feinberg, special master for TARP Executive Compensation, discuss federal regulation of executive pay.

This session was part of the 2010 CFR Corporate Conference.

Globalization and the Contours of the Recovery

Richard W. Fisher and Joan E. Spero — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:49:57 -0500

Watch Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Richard W. Fisher analyze the importance of the Federal Reserve Bank's regulatory abilities, and the importance of regulation to recovery.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics.

Energy Plan & Climate Bill: Tactical Link

Robert N. Stavins and Toni Johnson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:15:57 -0500

Environmental economist Robert Stavins says Obama's energy plan is designed to make a climate bill more politically feasible, but he points out energy policy and climate policy often have different goals. Without cap-and-trade, it will be hard to meet the country's Copenhagen target, he notes.

Obama's Flawed Export Plan

Gary C. Hufbauer and Roya Wolverson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:13:00 -0500

News that global trade contracted in 2009 underscores the need for Obama's trade strategy to include negotiating exchange rates with Asian countries and promoting free trade agreements, says IIE's Gary Hufbauer.

How to Fix Climate Science Reporting

Michael A. Levi, Kevin Trenberth, Roger A. Pielke Jr., and John R. Christy — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:25:57 -0500

With some findings of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in question, four experts debate how much the premier climate science review panel may need to make changes.

Alternative Views on Climate Change

Toni Johnson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:16 -0500

Debating global warming policy has moved to the top of agendas worldwide, but some skeptics still question whether action is necessary or possible.

Lamy's Speech on the Multilateral Trading System, February 2010

Pascal Lamy — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:37:19 -0500

Regulation of Executive Compensation in Financial Services

Squam Lake Working Group on Financial Regulation — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:33:04 -0500

Many people argue that inappropriate compensation policies in financial companies contributed to the global financial crisis. Some say the overall level of pay was too high. Others criticize the structure of pay, claiming that contracts for CEOs, traders, and other professionals induced them to pursue excessively risky and short-term strategies. This Working Paper, the eighth in the Squam Lake Working Group series distributed by the Center for Geoeconomic Studies, argues that governments should generally not regulate the level of executive compensation at financial firms. Instead, a fraction of compensation should be held back for several years to reduce employees' incentives to take excessive risk.

China's Exchange Rate Policy: The Heat Is On

Steven Dunaway — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:53:27 -0500

International pressure must continue on China to allow its currency to appreciate, which would provide an important boost to the global economic recovery, writes CFR's Steven Dunaway.

Beyond Relief: Helping Haiti

Pamela Cox, Arvind Subramanian, Michele Wucker, and Marcus Mabry — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:47 -0500

Three panelists with expertise in the Latin America region and on development aid discuss options for helping Haiti after the earthquake, highlighting new approaches to institution building, migration, and decriminalization. The discussion also explores what support outsiders can provide to the government of Haiti as well as the limits to what they can do.

Annual Report to the President on Progress Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, February 2010

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:44:53 -0500

The Sovereign Debt Dilemma

Sebastian Mallaby and Roya Wolverson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:48:16 -0500

Markets' reaction to the sovereign debt crisis in Greece and other European countries suggests global governments "have used up all their ammunition to boost global growth," and could be punished by the markets if they sustain stimulus programs, says CFR's Sebastian Mallaby.

Carbon Markets March On

Joelle Chassard and Toni Johnson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:51:46 -0500

Despite lingering uncertainty about the outcome of Copenhagen's climate negotiations, there are signs that carbon markets will continue to make gains, says World Bank carbon finance expert Joelle Chassard.

Deficits in a Growing Defense Budget

Todd Harrison and Greg Bruno — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:16:27 -0500

The Obama administration's proposed defense budget fails to align spending with calls to rebuild the military to handle irregular warfare, says expert Todd Harrison. He also cites an inability to get personnel costs under control.

Confronting the Debt Threat

Ryan Avent and Roya Wolverson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:11:28 -0500

Some of Obama's budget proposals are sound policy, but congressional gridlock and faster economic reforms in China and Europe could jeopardize U.S. competitiveness, says Economist.com editor Ryan Avent.

Al-Qaeda's Financial Pressures

Greg Bruno — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:22:32 -0500

Financial pressures have weakened al-Qaeda's tactical abilities, but analysts say affiliated networks are finding new ways to raise and spend money, complicating efforts to squeeze a savvy foe.