News & Opinions
Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs: A farcical repetition of the tragic trade policies of the 1930s - 03 Apr 2025
Trump’s latest global tariffs, announced on a self-proclaimed ‘Liberation Day’, will likely cause sharp short-term trade declines – and a significant surge in inflation for the US read more
How Trump’s new tariffs will impact the EU’s already struggling automotive industry - 01 Apr 2025
The newly announced US tariffs of 25% on automotive imports will have the greatest impact on the ‘EU’s manufacturing core’ – namely, the car industries in Germany, Austria and the Visegrád countries – as well as Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Japan. This represents yet another blow to the EU’s struggling automotive industry read more
Challenges and potential opportunities for the EU steel industry in the face of US tariffs - 27 Mar 2025
The European steel industry is under increasing pressure. Trump's new 25% tariffs are further undermining its competitiveness. The European Commission views this industry as vital for Europe’s defence and rearmament. Francesca Guadagno and Robert Stehrer on the current state of the industry, the potential consequences of US tariffs and the EU's retaliation read more
What is behind the US trade deficit? - 19 Mar 2025
President Trump uses the US trade deficit as a key argument to justify raising tariffs. The debate surrounding its causes is essential for understanding the broader elements of his agenda. Ultimately, Trump’s aim could be to restructure the global trade and financial systems read more
Trump’s trade conflicts will see no winners – and maybe even one unintended loser - 12 Mar 2025
Donald Trump is aggressively pursuing his “America First” policy by announcing various tariff increases – which are often later withdrawn or postponed, leading to significant uncertainty. On 12 March, tariffs on aluminium and steel derivative products enter into force. In any scenario, the greatest burden will be borne by the US itself read more
Forty years ago, Gorbachev took over – Why did socialism collapse? - 11 Mar 2025
On 11 March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He set in motion political and economic reforms that would change the world. What have been the economic reasons for the demise of communism? read more
2024 war ein herausforderndes Jahr für die österreichische Außenwirtschaft - 28 Feb 2025
Die österreichischen Güterexporte dürften 2024 um 2,9% und die Importe um 4,9% gesunken sein. FIW prognostiziert für 2025 ein Exportwachstum von 1,4% und für 2026 von 2,3% read more
Three years of full-scale war in Ukraine: What would a dictated peace mean? - 24 Feb 2025
It would crush Ukraine’s sovereignty and economic future, undermine Central and Eastern Europe’s FDI-driven growth, and end Europe’s peace dividend for good. Russia, meanwhile, could see economic gains in the medium term and become less dependent on China read more
Winter Forecast: Eastern Europe to grow faster in 2025 despite Trump - 04 Feb 2025
Private consumption is driving growth, while export-oriented industry is struggling; Donald Trump unchained is the major downside risk; Ukraine’s economic prospects are uncertain; growth in Russia will halve to 1.8% in 2025 read more
Regionaler Aufschwung – insbesondere in Polen – sorgt 2025 für Wachstumsimpulse in Österreich - 04 Feb 2025
Das an Fahrt gewinnende Wachstum in Polen, Tschechien, Ungarn und Slowenien dürfte 2025 die schwache Konjunktur Österreichs stützen. Besonders stark wächst Polen read more