EU leaders are discussing today the so-called reparations loan to finance Ukraine in the coming years. But how does it work and why does it matter? @fraghi.bsky.social had me on her podcast and asked all the good questions and so we tried to unpack this potentially pretty big Christmas gift 👇

Is Germany again dragging its feet and undermining a "simple" solution to the Ukraine financing problem, instead pushing the ubercomplex reparations loan? It's a tempting eurocrisis reflex that if only there were a will in Berlin, there would be a better way. But there isn't. Here is why:

Europe’s clean tech industry is caught between US tariffs and Chinese overcapacity, and EU producers are in trouble. A new policy brief by @etiennehoera.d-64.social, @lucas-res-car.bsky.social, @elisabettaco.bsky.social, & @ph-jaeg.bsky.social plots a path forward ➡️ bst-europe.eu/competitiven...

New policy brief! Against the backdrop of the recently released US national security strategy, we examine the impact of USAID's closure for 🇪🇺 engagement in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership. Full publication here: bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...

In 2023, the US disbursed $12.4 billion in ODA to the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership. One year later, much of that support has evaporated. Our new policy brief asks: Why does it matter for Europe — and how should Europe respond? A 🧵 on the main results: bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...

New Policy Brief! A joint publication of @bst-europe.bsky.social , @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social , and @delorsberlin.bsky.social. We analyze how recent shifts in US trade and industrial policy are changing the prospects for Europe’s clean tech industry, which is getting squeezed from two sides:

The EU’s Preparedness Union is an attempt to turn Europe’s resilience ambitions into action. But with 63 wide-ranging measures and no clear centre of gravity, it risks being just a box-ticking exercise. @heqs.bsky.social & Goran Buldioski suggest improvements here: bst-europe.eu/security-pol...

The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy was released overnight in the US. What are the administration’s apparent priorities pertaining to Europe? I’ve pulled out the key points from the 29-page document. PDF: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...

The EU’s Preparedness Union aims to boost Europe’s resilience, but its agenda is sprawling. @ec.europa.eu can focus it by: • Understanding national contexts. • Defining a role alongside NATO. • Leveraging EU strengths @heqs.bsky.social & Goran Buldioski explain: bst-europe.eu/security-pol...

German President Steinmeier begins a state visit to the UK today, reflecting a warming in Anglo-German relations. In fact, PM Starmer& Ministers Healey & Cooper were just in Berlin last month to push for deeper ties. @jbenford-berlin.bsky.social explains the potential: bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...

New policy brief with Thieß Petersen @bst-europe.bsky.social : More and deeper EU trade agreements would only bring moderate growth effects - around 0.6 percent of EU GDP in five years, even under very optimistic assumptions (more in some sectors). Why this matters and what to do now: 🧵

EU trade deals would bring modest growth (~0.6%) but strategic value. With pressure from US tariffs, the EU could benefit from a pragmatic approach: lean, high-impact deals over big, hard to finalise ones. New policy brief by @etiennehoera.d-64.social & Thieß Petersen➡️ bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, has announced a major reform of his ministry to become effective in summer of 2026. As the NSC is built, the MFA refocuses. Wadephul has emphasised three foreign policy goals: protecting Germany’s security, freedom, and prosperity. 1/

Tomorrow, EU leaders meet for the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty. This new brief by experts from the newly formed European Network for Technological Resilience & Sovereignty presents a roadmap for tech resilience though knowledge, investment, & productivity. 👉 bst-europe.eu/competitiven...

On Wednesday, our colleagues @heqs.bsky.social & @etiennehoera.d-64.social graduated from @dgap.org / @merics.bsky.social's Think Tank School with a ceremony at DGAP in Berlin! Follow Helena for info on European comprehensive preparedness and resilience, and Etienne for trade and geoeconomics.

Today’s Sustainability Omnibus vote in the EP marks a turning point for the EU’s centrist coalition & sets course for the rest of the simplification agenda. The EPP broke with traditional partners, seeking a majority with far-right groups to deliver its vision of how to cut sustainability rules. 1/

Read our latest newsletter for insights on: 💶 EU budget debate & Europe’s strategic ambitions 🏛 The Sustainability Omnibus & EU Parliament dynamics 💻 The European Digital Sovereignty Summit ➕ And more! Read here👉 www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/bst-europ... ✔️ Sign up via our website bst-europe.eu

Europe’s car sector drives jobs, R&D, and exports, but is losing ground fast to international competitors. A coordinated Buy-European EV policy can help to boost demand at home argue @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @nilsredeker.bsky.social & @sandertordoir.bsky.social. bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

One year after the Niinistö report, “preparedness” risks being just another checklist exercise. Unless the EU adds value to complement NATO, reflects national realities, & boosts societal resilience, it won't deliver, argue @heqs.bsky.social & @gbuldioski.bsky.social: bst-europe.eu/security-pol...

New analysis with @cdgeiser.bsky.social: The EU’s current drive to cut red tape at all costs is weakening Europe. Last week’s failed vote on the Sustainability Omnibus in the European Parliament was the culmination of extreme pressure, poorly designed proposals and political polarisation. Thread:

Europe’s car industry faces a triple challenge: China’s subsidised export surge, US tariffs/IRA rollback, & weak EU demand. @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @nilsredeker.bsky.social, & @sandertordoir.bsky.social argue for a coordinated "Buy-European" EV eco-bonus ➡️ bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.

Europe’s car industry is in rough waters with sinking demand for European EVs, & the response cannot wait. In a new joint paper @sandertordoir.bsky.social , @nilsredeker.bsky.social & @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social , propose "Buy-European" EV demand support coordinated across the Single Market. 1/4

Ahead of the European Council meeting this week, the EU hopes to move ahead with the 19th Russia sanctions package, which now is only held up by Slovakia. @miriamkosmehl.bsky.social explained here how the package was prepared and what it should focus on: bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

A new pact for the Mediterranean with the aim of promoting growth, security, and stability around the Mediterranean The EU adopted the “Pact for the Mediterranean,” a new format for cooperation with Europe's southern neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa, a strategic center #Mena.

Our latest BSt Europe Newsletter is packed! 💡 Twice a month, our Europe experts share key insights from economic power to digital sovereignty, democracy, global affairs, and more. Here’s what’s inside this edition 👇

How can lasting #peace emerge in the #MiddleEast? Our expert Christian Hanelt joins the #FAZ #Podcast for Germany and #WDR5 to discuss the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit and what Europe can contribute. Now it’s time to share the load between Ukraine and the Middle East.

The EU’s Omnibus packages promise simpler rules, but simplification isn’t deregulation. To cut red tape without eroding standards, the Commission must be clearer on its goals, base reforms on evidence, & build political consensus, argues @cdgeiser.bsky.social here⬇️ bst-europe.eu/competitiven...

Europe’s neighbourhood is strongly interconnected. Our new #GEOII shows the EU remains the most connected power—but China is catching up fast, and Russia still wields energy leverage. Explore the trends here: geoii.eu

This week, negotiations on the first Omnibus simplification package stalled in the European Parliament - highlighting the difficulties in the Commission’s current agenda. In a new Policy Brief, I argue the Commission’s approach needs recalibration: bst-europe.eu/de/wettberwe...

The EU’s “Omnibus” agenda aims to cut red tape & boost competitiveness. But rushed design & blurred goals risk weakening standards. This new policy brief by @cdgeiser.bsky.social sets out 4 principles for the agenda: clarity, evidence, sound design & consensus. bst-europe.eu/competitiven...

Want to learn more about the new Geoeconomic Interconnectvitiy Index? No better way than to join the launch webinar this week. Details below 👇

Everyone talks about #geoeconomics, we’re mapping it: Together with colleagues @bst-europe.bsky.social @wiiw.ac.at, ECIPE, we created the Geoeconomic Interconnectivity Index, measuring the EU's trade, finance and policy footprint in its neighbourhood, compared to China, Russia & US. Main findings 🧵

🚨 Launch: The Geoeconomic Interconnectivity Index (GEOII) Created by @etiennehoera.d-64.social & Stefani Weiss along with @wiiw.ac.at & ECIPE, it maps how the EU, China, Russia & the US are embedded in Europe’s neighbourhood from 2010–2023. Explore findings & graphics here: geoii.eu

Despite new momentum in EU–UK ties, economic security remains a missing pillar. Shared trade risks & China exposure mean both sides should take practical steps toward a stronger framework, argue @jbenford-berlin.bsky.social & @antonspisak.bsky.social here: bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...

Our new newsletter is out! This issue covers EU–UK economic security in a shifting global order, reactions to von der Leyen’s #SOTEU speech, and more. Read it here➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/bst-europ... Subscribe via our website ➡️ bst-europe.eu

For EU-UK ties, economic security is still missing. Both sides share trade vulnerabilities & reliance on certain trade partners, which offers a foundation for cooperation, write @jbenford-berlin.bsky.social & @antonspisak.bsky.social in a new policy brief. Read here: bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th...

Our reaction to von der Leyen’s #SOTEU 2025 address yesterday. A serious speech with bold appeals & many initiatives. But is there the unity & coherence of initiatives to accomplish the agenda? A thread on the main points from each of our experts. Full article ➡️ bst-europe.eu/europe-in-th... 1/9

Economic Security is central to the EU’s external strategy - see SOTEU today - but cooperation with the UK remains nascent. Political and structural reasons are behind this but @antonspisak.bsky.social and I think there are grounds for deeper cooperation: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/our-proje...

Some thoughts on trade in #SOTEU: Aftermath of the EU-US trade deal is the biggest theme (also keeping in mind upcoming votes). VDL: EU got the 'best deal', better than 'competitors' (JP, KOR, UK?). Alternative would have been trade war 'chaos'.

🧵With Russia stepping up attacks on Ukraine's civilians & critical infrastructure, and US Pres Trump now pointing to a "second phase" of sanctions against Russia, my thoughts on the upcoming 19th EU sanctions package remain relevant.

Our Europe newsletter is out today! @dschwarzer.bsky.social shares her thoughts on current events and our colleagues' latest work. Read it here➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/bst-europ... Want to see it in your inbox next time? Subscribe via the homepage of our website ➡️ bst-europe.eu

As the EU prepares the next Russia sanctions package, @miriamkosmehl.bsky.social explains what could be an effective focus: oil trade and the shadow fleet; banks, dual-use goods and financial flows; and tackling circumvention through third countries. Read more here➡️ bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

Enjoyed speaking with DW News this morning about Texas Rs’ and California Ds’ competing redistricting bills, the potential ripple effects in other critical states, and the broader implications as we head into next year’s midterm elections. Link to view here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2m3...

Gaming and democracy - what's the connection? Our colleagues have taken a look at gamers' attitudes toward politics, democracy, institutions and more with intriguing results. The new study is also available in English, so take a look!

Here we go again. EU just isn't dealing with a good-faith actor on the other side. The lack of interest in anything stable, permanent or predictable doesn't fit into EU's mental model. Ultimately it's about incentives - if there's no negative consequence, US is always going to come back for more.

The @ec.europa.eu's budget proposal for 2028-2034 includes a shift toward national envelopes for regional development & cohesion. This policy brief by @schwabvonpostel.eu & Andrey Demidov offers a view on how the partnership principle could work in this proposed setup: bst-europe.eu/investment-b...

Yesterday, many EU members applied for €100+ billion from the SAFE instrument for defense. But NATO’s new spending goal (which impacts most EU members) isn’t just for military gear—it includes 1.5% for civil preparedness too. How can Europe boost resilience & security? bst-europe.eu/security-pol...

15% tariffs, breaches of WTO rules, more tech dependency – the US deal is a far cry from what the EU wanted. This was not a one-off accident, but exposes longstanding structural weaknesses in EU trade policy that will affect any future negotiation. My analysis🧵 bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...

Sunday’s EU-US trade deal wasn’t an accident - structural aspects limit EU trade policy. Member states are quick to shift blame, but strategic dependencies and national interests, among other reasons, make better deals unlikely, writes @etiennehoera.d-64.social bst-europe.eu/economy-secu...