Category Archives: Europe

When the IMF Evaluates the IMF

A recap of where the IMF admits that it screwed up. Also points out how the IMF overlooked a core methodology prone to errors and gaming.

Euroland: Will the Netherlands Be the Next Domino To Fall?

The upcoming elections in the Netherland demonstrate how austerity is stoking anti-elitist, anti-Euro sentiments.

Germany-IMF Staredown on Greece: The Election Calculus

How upcoming European elections could play into the Greek debt negotiations.

Brexit Big Lie: UK Could Have Reduced EU Immigration by 82% Under EU Rules

Contrary to Tory and pro-Brexit propaganda, the UK has plenty of power under EU rules to reduce immigration.

Zero Interest Rates in EU: The Myth of the Poor German Saver

The ordinary German is much less well off than most foreigners would assume.

Why Central Bankers Should Not Be Trusted With Money: Greek Exit Edition

An upcoming Greek bailout is leading to new discussion of the idea of a Grexit. And as before, some well-meaning ideas are wildly impractical.

Will Trump Administration Let the IMF Escape from the Next Greek Bailout?

The IMF is at odds with the rest of the Troika about whether Greece can shoulder its debts. Will the IMF be forced to fund the next bailout?

The EU Must Stand Ready to Confront US Leadership

This is not the first time that the United States has antagonised Europe. And Europe can provide an effective response to such external challenges when it stands united.

Wolf Richter: Central Banks Quietly Backing Out of Negative Interest Rate Policies (NIRP)

Are central banks finally beating a retreat on their failed NIRP strategies?

Border Adjustment Tax Could Help Europe Find Common Voice on Trump

Europeans mull retaliation if Trump moves forward with his border adjustment tax.

Things Just Got Serious in Europe’s War on Cash

Latest salvo on cash: European Commission explores setting a maximum limit on cash transactions, to apply cross-regionally from 2018.

Trading Off a ’Soft’ and ‘Hard’ Brexit

A ‘harder’ Brexit may have a stronger negative impact on the UK’s services trade and supply chain integration,

Compensating the “Losers” of Globalization

There is little agreement on how government should respond to the challenge posed by “losers” from globalization.

Helicopter Money: Loved, Not Spent

Another monetarist myth bites the dust. Consumers overwhelmingly say they would not spend helicopter money.

The Fed in an Age of Uncertainty

How uncertainty over the wisdom of the Fed starting to tighten in 2017 and its reading of Trump policies might impact other economies.