Single market, competition & trade

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Five reasons why even a basic EU-UK trade deal is better than nothing

Five reasons why even a basic EU-UK trade deal is better than nothing

Sam Lowe
18 August 2020
A deal would avoid tariffs, unlock supplementary benefits, allow for EU and UK customs co-operation, ensure the Northern Ireland protocol is implemented sustainably

Is the US or Europe more resilient to COVID-19?

John Springford, Simon Tilford
04 August 2020
COVID-19 has exposed the lack of risk-sharing between US citizens. But Europeans should not be complacent: a permanent and more automatic fiscal union may be needed to secure 'the European way of life'.

To V or not to V

27 July 2020
The debate over the shape of the economic recovery continues. But recent medical advances should tilt governments towards continued support for workers and companies, because the pandemic may be over sooner than they had feared.

Bulletin issue 133 - August/September 2020

Sophia Besch, Christian Odendahl, Luigi Scazzieri, John Springford
27 July 2020

EU efforts to level the playing field are not risk-free

Sam Lowe
16 July 2020
The EU believes other countries are taking advantage of its relative economic openness. However, unilateral action to level the playing field risks provoking retaliation and the EU will need to tread carefully.

EU-UK negotiations: No need to panic (yet)

Sam Lowe
12 June 2020
A deal between the EU and UK remains possible. But neither side is likely to compromise on its current negotiating position until later in the year, when the cost of failure will become significantly more tangible.

Securing Europe's medical supply chains against future shocks

Sam Lowe
29 May 2020
European policy-makers should not give in to the temptation to use the COVID-19 pandemic to justify the forced onshoring of medical supply chains. Better options are available.

Three ways COVID-19 will cause economic divergence in Europe

Christian Odendahl, John Springford
21 May 2020
Europe's economies will diverge further as a result of COVID-19, as the economic impact will be larger in Southern Europe. Fiscal transfers would help to restart the EU's 'convergence machine'.

How to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol

Sam Lowe
14 May 2020
The UK must face up to its responsibilities and work with the EU to ensure goods can move as freely as possible between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Why the UK should extend the transition period

Sam Lowe
20 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic means the UK should request a transition extension as a matter of urgency. To do otherwise would be unnecessarily reckless.
A proposal for a coronabond: The Pandemic Solidarity Instrument

A proposal for a coronabond: The Pandemic Solidarity Instrument

Christian Odendahl, Sebastian Grund, Lucas Guttenberg
06 April 2020
The economic hit is so severe, and the demands on fiscal policy so high, that the EU needs to share the burden between stronger and weaker countries.

The two economic stages of coronavirus

Christian Odendahl, John Springford
26 March 2020
European policy-makers must offset the huge costs of containing the virus, while keeping debt sustainable in all eurozone member-states. But they also need a plan to stimulate a V-shaped recovery.
Milan airport March 2020

Bold policies needed to counter the coronavirus recession

Christian Odendahl, John Springford
10 March 2020
The COVID-19 crisis is serious, and will have severe economic consequences. But if matched by aggressive action from fiscal and monetary authorities, the economic fallout is manageable. 

Should the EU develop 'European champions' to fend off Chinese competition?

05 March 2020
China is distorting world trade through its aggressive industrial policy. But fostering ‘European champions’ in order to compete is premature – and risky.

The future EU-UK relationship and the (relative) case for optimism

Sam Lowe
02 March 2020
Beyond the headline disagreements, both the EU and UK have similar expectations as to what a future free trade agreement can and cannot deliver. 

Can France and Germany steer Europe to success? Annual report 2019

06 February 2020
The CER's annual report features an essay on the state Franco-German friendship. It also describes some of the CER’s achievements in 2019, including the increasingly prominent role played by our Brussels and Berlin offices.
Photo Credit: PETER NICHOLLS/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Priorities for 'Global Britain'

Sam Lowe
27 January 2020
While the British government talks a good game on free trade and openness, it has failed to articulate what it actually wants and why. This will need to change.

Flexibility does not come for free

Sam Lowe
16 January 2020
An EU-UK free trade agreement will result in new barriers to trade and border friction even if the UK chooses to unilaterally align itself with EU rules and regulations.