Powered by RND
PodcastsBusinessThe Sound of Economics

The Sound of Economics

Bruegel
The Sound of Economics
Latest episode

Available Episodes

5 of 426
  • The Sound of Economics Live: The State of the European Union 2025
    In this episode of The Sound of Economics, we discuss the State of the Union address that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered on 10 September 2025.  Bruegel's Rebecca Christie, Simone Tagliapietra, Reinhilde Veugelers and Jeromin Zettelmeyer discuss whether the EU is ready to meet the moment. How can Europe boost its economic and geopolitical independence? What steps are most needed to improve productivity and green growth. Did Von der Leyen give a good speech, given the difficulties of asserting European influence in the aftermath of the U.S. recent trade talks? They discuss how Europe can integrate and boost its economy to prepare for a better future. Relevant research: Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Draghi on a shoestring: the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass, Bruegel Analysis, 3 February 2025   McWilliams, B., S. Tagliapietra and G. Zachmann (2025) ‘Europe’s energy information problem’, Policy Brief 07/2025, Bruegel   Aghion, P., D. Hémous and R. Veugelers (2025/2009) ‘No green growth without innovation’ Policy Brief 24/2025, Bruegel (Original work published in 2009)
    --------  
    1:01:13
  • The ECB is not the Fed
    In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie discusses central bank independence and credibility with Francesco Papadia and Lucrezia Reichlin, Bruegel fellows and former top officials at the European Central Bank. As the Federal Reserve comes under increasing political pressure in the U.S., understanding what central banks do and why they are needed is more important than ever. Traditional monetary policy, digital currency, financial supervision and climate-related initiatives all play a role in how central banks operate today. Relevant research: Lucrezia Reichlin and Jeromin Zettelmeyer, The European Central Bank must adapt to an environment of inflation volatility, Bruegel Analysis, 12 June 2024 The ECB’s Digital Euro and new operational framework: is there an overlap? Bruegel event, 2 June 2025 Véron, N. (2024) ‘Europe’s banking union at ten: unfinished yet transformative’ Book, Bruegel Véron, N. (2025) ‘Breaking the deadlock: a single supervisor to unshackle Europe's capital markets union’, Bruegel blueprint series 35, Bruegel
    --------  
    45:48
  • How can the EU get its act together?
    In this episode of The Sound of Economics, we explore where Europe fits into a world of geopolitical uncertainty and whether it can rise to the challenge. Host Rebecca Christie is joined by Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Bruegel's Director, and Jason Furman, the Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard University and former top economic adviser under President Barack Obama.  They argue that the EU needs to use mobilise all its resources to safeguard growth, advance low-carbon transition and strengthen its defence capacity. Achieving this, however, means breaking down internal barriers, which will demand ambitious transitional reforms from both member states and the EU itself — and time is of the essence. We will continue our discussion in Bruegel Annual Meetings 2025. Sign up to follow the livestream on 3 September. Relevant research: Jason Furman, Trump’s tariffs leave us in the second worst of all worlds, opinion, Financial Times, 4 Aug 2025 Sapir, A. (2025/2005) ‘Globalisation and the reform of European social models’ Policy Brief 22/2025, Bruegel (Original work published in 2005) Dom, R. and N. Poitiers (2025) ‘The European single market: restarting the perpetual revolution’, Working Paper 15/2025, Bruegel Heussaff, C. and G. Zachmann (2025) ‘Upgrading Europe’s electricity grid is about more than just money’, Policy Brief 04/2025, Bruegel Pisani-Ferry, J, B Weder di Mauro and J Zettelmeyer (eds) (2025), ‘Paris Report 3: Global Action Without Global Governance: Building coalitions for climate transition and nature restoration‘, CEPR Press, Paris & London.
    --------  
    55:04
  • Disaster risk in euro-area bond markets
    In this episode of The Sound of Economics, host Rebecca Christie is joined by ECB Senior Economist Christoph Kaufmann and Bruegel’s Stavros Zenios to unpack how disaster risk, political instability and investor behaviour collide in euro-area bond markets. They explore why investment funds respond differently to fiscal and political shocks, compared to other investor groups, and what are the consequences for both periphery and core countries. The conversation also addresses the disciplining role of markets, the sustainability of public debt and the need for a euro-area safe asset. Relevant research: Ajovalasit, S., A. Consiglio, G. Pagliardi and S. Zenios (2024) "Incorporating political risk into analysis of sovereign debt sustainability", Analysis, Bruegel Anaya Longaric, P., K. Cera, G. Georgiadis and C. Kaufmann (2025), “Investment funds and euro disaster risk”, Working Paper No. 3029, European Central Bank
    --------  
    42:17
  • Why European firms are rethinking their presence in China
    In this episode of The Sound of Economics, we explore the shifting strategies of European companies operating in China, as unveiled in a new Bruegel paper co-authored by Alicia García-Herrero, Théo Storella, and Jianwei Xu. Host Yuyun Zhan speaks with Alicia and Théo about the findings, which are based on panel survey data from the European Chamber of Commerce in China. The discussion dives into the four typologies of firm strategy, doubling down, hedging, hibernating, and exiting. Why are some firms staying despite envisioning less profitability? Why are others hedging their bets by expanding elsewhere? Speakers also also touch on broader macroeconomic challenges such as deflation, overcapacity and declining foreign direct investment in China, with implications for European policy and business resilience. This conversation was recorded on 25 July 2025, just after the EU-China Summit. 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!
    --------  
    26:27

More Business podcasts

About The Sound of Economics

The Sound of Economics brings you insights, debates, and research-based discussions on economic policy in Europe and beyond. The podcast is produced by Bruegel, an independent and non-doctrinal think tank based in Brussels. It seeks to contribute to European and global economic policy-making through open, fact-based, and policy-relevant research, analysis, and debate.
Podcast website

Listen to The Sound of Economics, The Other Hand and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Social
v7.23.9 | © 2007-2025 radio.de GmbH
Generated: 9/16/2025 - 11:15:35 PM