In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Ignacio García Bercero, former EU chief trade negotiator, and Miguel Ángel González Simón, economist at Funcas, to unpack the resurgence of transatlantic trade tensions. As the U.S. reintroduces sweeping tariffs, the guests explore what’s behind Washington’s unpredictable trad…

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, to explore how the eurozone’s periphery—Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and Italy—has evolved since the sovereign debt crisis. They discuss the different causes of the crisis across these countries, the key reforms that followed, …

In this episode of Future is Blue, host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Brad Setser (Council on Foreign Relations) and Miguel Ángel González Simón (Funcas) to unpack the global implications of President Trump’s newly announced 10% universal tariff on all imports — and an additional 20% duty on EU goods. The discussion explores the political …

In this Future is Blue episode, Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform discusses his article Heavy Industry is Europe’s Trump Card. We explore how Europe’s manufacturing strength can drive defence rearmament, the potential of the EU’s REARM initiative, and the challenges of financing and coordination. Sander also highlights the UK’s rol…

The latest Future is Blue podcast explores Germany’s historic fiscal shift following the recent elections. Christian Odendahl (The Economist) and Raymond Torres (Funcas Europe) analyze the CDU-SPD coalition’s €500 billion investment package, which marks a break from two decades of fiscal conservatism. They discuss its implications for Germany’s eco…

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Antonin Bergeaud, Associate Professor at HEC Paris, about Europe’s struggle to stay competitive in a world increasingly dominated by the U.S. and China. They discuss the Draghi report’s key recommendations, Europe’s lag in innovation, the impact of regulatory fragmentation, an…

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Urabayen dives into the implications of the U.S.'s evolving trade policies under a renewed Trump administration. Joined by Arancha González Laya, Dean of Sciences Po and former Spanish Foreign Minister, and Raymond Torres, Europe Director at Funcas, the discussion explores how the EU can navigate its shifti…

In this podcast episode we take a deep dive into the key economic lessons Europe has learned in 2024. From the structural challenges facing the eurozone, such as sluggish growth and energy market shifts, to Spain’s surprising economic resilience and the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, we explore how Europe is navigating an…

In this episode of Future is Blue, we explore the challenges facing the EU’s industrial production and trade relationships in an increasingly fragmented global economy. Joined by Aslak Berg, Research Fellow at the Center for European Reform, and Miguel Ángel González Simón, economist at Funcas, we discuss Europe’s vulnerabilities, from energy depen…

In the latest Future is Blue episode, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Senior Fellow at Bruegel and Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, and Raymond Torres, Director of Funcas Europe, to discuss the potential consequences of Donald Trump’s return to the White House on EU-U.S. trade relations. The conversation ex…

Despite the common perception of migrants as a drain on resources, OECD data reveals that migrants contribute positively to public finances in most advanced economies. In a recent Future is Blue interview, Ana Damas de Matos, OECD senior policy analyst, explained how migrants support aging populations, add to the labor market, and contribute more i…

In this Future is Blue episode, host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, about the recent volatility in EU sovereign debt markets, particularly in the wake of France's turbulent elections. They explore how political instability and fiscal challenges have driven up French bond spreads, sparking renewed …

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Sander Tordoir and Raymond Torres to discuss the key findings and implications of Mario Draghi’s recent report on Europe's competitiveness. We recommend reading Draghi´s plan to rescue the European economy: will EU leaders do whatever it takes?…

In this episode, Cecilia Trasi from Bruegel discusses the EU's strategy to lead global climate action, balancing decarbonization with economic competitiveness and fostering international green partnerships. The paper that is featured in this podcast is available here.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen - Funcas

In our latest episode, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen interviews Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, to discuss the European Central Bank's recent monetary policy changes. They delve into the ECB's long-awaited rate cut, contrasting it with the Federal Reserve's approach, and explore its implications for financial sectors and markets, particula…

In this episode of "Future is Blue," host Carlos Urabayen discusses the post-election economic outlook for Europe with Sander Tordoir, Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform, and Raymond Torres, Director of Funcas Europe. They explore the challenges and opportunities for the new European Commission, focusing on climate transition, econom…

In this episode our host Carlos Urabayen talks to Alice Faibishenko from Funcas to discuss the profound shifts in global trade and investment since the pandemic. The conversation delves into the concept of re-globalization, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the European Union amidst weakening export markets and changing foreign…

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of the European Union budget with insights from Professor Iain Begg of the London School of Economics and Political Science and Raymond Torres, Director of Funcas Europe. We explore the historical context, current challenges, and potential reforms needed to make the EU budget more flexible and respons…

Carlos Carnicero Urabayen spoke with Hans Dubois, a Senior Research Manager at Eurofound, about the pressing issue of housing affordability in Europe. The discussion covered the factors driving unaffordable housing, the impact on different demographic groups, particularly young people, and the effectiveness of various policy measures being implemen…

There is a growing resilience in the Spanish labor force, highlighting evolution from the historical trends of high unemployment, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. In this podcast we discuss this topic with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas. You can access the latest SEFO report from Funcas here.…

In this new episode hosted by Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, delved into the intricate dynamics of the global geopolitical landscape, the rise of economic nationalism and Europe's strategic positioning amidst the assertive manoeuvres of superpowers like the United States and China. Tor…

In this episode Carlos Carnicero Urabayen interviews Patricia Sánchez Juanino to learn about current trade trends inside and outside the European Union.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen for Funcas

In this episode Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, talks to our host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen about key aspects affecting the Spanish economy in 2024. The conversation is based on several of the articles featured in the latest SEFO report.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

In this episode we analyze the new fiscal rules recently agreed by EU policymakers and what will be their impact on Europe's economy in the medium and long term. We are joined by Vinzenz Ziesemer, Director at the Institute voor Publieke Economie and Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director. The show is hosted by Carlos Carnicero Urabayen.…

In today's show we analyse what are the key lessons learned for the EU economy in 2023. Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, together with Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director in conversation with Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, Future is Blue host.By Funcas Europe - Agenda Pública

In our new podcast episode we discuss the latest SEFO publication by Funcas covering Spain's economic outlook, together with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas.By Funcas Europe - Agenda Pública

In this podcast show Carlos Carnicero Urabayen talks to Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, to analyse the situation regarding public deficits and debt after the pandemic, the Ukraine war and the energy crisis.By Funcas Europe - Agenda Pública

Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, shares great insights about the Commission investigation into Chinese state subsidies affecting cars imported to Europe. Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is Future is Blue host.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen - Funcas

In today's new podcast episode we feature Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, to analyse the implications of high interest rates for financial institutions, public bodies and other actors. This subject is covered in the latest SEFO report by Funcas that you can access here.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

In our new podcast show we analyse what's behind China's debt mounting debt and the risk this represents for the world economy. Our host, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen talks to Alicia García Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, a French multinational financial services firm, and Senior Fellow at Bruegel think tank, and Raymond Torres, …

In today's show, we cover the most pressing economic topics on the EU's agenda: Is Europe heading towards a recession along with persistent inflation –or stagflation in light of the recent decision of the ECB to raise interest rates? What could be a realistic fiscal scenario for the EU? The EIA is predicting a turn in energy demand, consistent with…

Is the German economy again the sick man of Europe, as it was once labelled back in the late 90s? We take a look at the current economic challenges of Germany together with Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, and Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen - Funcas

In this Future is Blue podcast episode, we cover the following questions about AI and the financial sector: How AI is being adopted by the financial sector, particularly in Europe. What are some of the major applications of AI within financial services to date? Key takeaways from all this as we look to the future of AI in banking? You can access he…

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on labor markets is a complex topic. While AI has the potential to create new opportunities and increase productivity, it also raises real concerns about job displacement and changing workforce dynamics. To cover this subject we've been joined by Maria Jepsen, Deputy Director at Eurofound, the European Foundati…

Joaquin Almunia, who’s chairman of the CEPS think tank Board and former European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and former Vice president of the European Commission, discusses how the EU can be ready to compete in a world dominated by a global economic race between the US and China. Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director joins the d…

In this show our host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen talks to Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, and Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, about how can Europe implement the China policy it needs for a successful relationship with Asia's superpower.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen for Funcas

In our new podcast episode Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, presents some of the key insights that are included in the latest SEFO report by Funcas, touching on the global economic outlook, how Spain is dealing with inflation and what segments of the population are more exposed to the effects of inflation. The show is presented by Carlo…

Jan Eeckhout, ICREA research professor of Economics at UPF Barcelona, talks to Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, Future is Blue host, about how to correctly measure inflation in the Eurozone and how to get it under control.By Funcas Europe - Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

Sander Tordoir, Senior Economist at the Centre for European Reform, discusses with Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, how the ECB and policymakers can get inflation under control in the eurozone. The show is hosted by Carlos Carnicero Urabayen.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen for Funcas

Alice Faibishenko, Senior advisor at Funcas, discusses with Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, how rising interest rates are impacting banks, the mortgage market, and the Spanish labor market, among other issues.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

In today's show we analyze the banking stress we've seen over the last couple of weeks on both sides of the Atlantic. Today's guests are Iain Begg, Professor at LSE and Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director. The host is Carlos Carnicero Urabayen. We explore questions such as: - Are banks better prepared to cope with a financial crisis compared to …

Lourdes Maldonado, Gail and Rob Cañizares Director at the Emerging Markets Institute in Cornell University, together with Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, analyse the implications of the IRA programme in the US and its repercussions for the European industry. The show is hosted by Carlos Carnicero Urabayen…

Alice Faibishenko, Senior Adviser at Funcas, shares some of the key insights that are included in the latest SEFO report, covering topics such as the impact of record spikes in interest rates and the challenges for banks financing. The content of the report is available here.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

In today's podcast, the first of a series jointly authored by Funcas Europe and the Centre for European Reform, we cover the following key aspects of the IMFs latest report: - Why is the world economy doing better than expected? - What's the likely course of monetary policy in Europe in 2023? - What are the key risks that can challenge the IMF's ou…

In our chat we cover these topics: - How realistic it is to see a third of the world entering recession in 2023 - What's the key forecast for Europe's economy in 2023 - Whether or not inflation is irreversibly going down in the eurozone - The energy crisis - The impact of the end of the zero covid policy in China…

In our conversation, we touch on these topics: - The overall situation in the markets in 2022 - Are there some sectors that are faring better? - Interest rates rise and banks’ profitability - Recent dynamics in the Spanish banking sector - Spanish banks and the factor of non-performing loans To discover key insights in all these questions take a lo…

In this podcast episode we analyse the key economic challenges that the new Italian government has to deal with. We are joined by Prof. Giorgia Giovannetti, Vice President for International Relations at Firenze University, Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director. Future is blue host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen presents this podcast.…

In this new episode Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, talks with Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, Future is blue host, about the recent global trends pointing towards a deglobalisation process: Coronavirus lockdowns, the Chinese zero Covid policy, the war in Ukraine and other factors disrupting global supply chains.…

In our episode Carlos Carnicero Urabayen interviews Francesco Sassi, Researcher specialized in Energy, Geopolitics, and Markets at RIE think tank in Bologna, Italy, to analyse how different EU Member States are dealing with the energy crisis.By Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

These are the specific questions that we cover in today's show: 1. What are the latest EU decisions or announcements concerning energy markets? 2. To what extent will these measures appease inflationary pressures? 3. Is a recession in the EU unavoidable, in light of the trends in gas markets? 4. What are the key areas where further progress is need…