Geoeconomics

The topic area “geoeconomics” examines how policies related to trade, technology, finance, and energy can be used as tools to achieve strategic goals. If Europe is to remain a key international player, the continent must help define the rules of the new global order. DGAP experts assess what Germany can do to better position Europe in this increasingly competitive landscape.

Research in this topic area is carried out by various teams at DGAP. You can find more information about our research centers here: https://dgap.org/en/research-institute

Recent publications

Inauguration Of Imec s NanoIC Pilot Production Line LEUVEN, BELGIUM

Halbleiter-Lieferketten sicher machen

Was risikobasierte Ansätze bewirken können

Deutschland braucht resiliente und vertrauenswürdige Halbleiter-Lieferketten.

Filip Medunić

Stéphane Séjourné Press Conference On Industrial Accelerator Act - Brussels

China geht in die Offensive – die EU muss sich wehren

Michael Laha

Derzeit wird in Brüssel ein wichtiges Gesetzesvorhaben diskutiert, das der chinesischen Regierung überhaupt nicht gefällt. Der Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) soll chinesische Produzenten aus dem europäischen öffentlichen Beschaffungsmarkt in Greentech-Industrien wie zum Beispiel Batterien und Solaranlagen ausschließen. Ziel ist es, europäische Industrien zu schützen und technologische Souveränität zu erreichen. Dagegen startet Peking nun einen Angriff.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit, in Busan Busan South Korea

Trump-Xi Summit Aims for Economic Rapprochement

Michael Laha

Rachel Tausendfreund

Trump and Xi may stabilize trade ties, leaving Europe to advance its own de-risking and security efforts in Asia.

Robotic arms work on the assembly line of C11 electric SUV at a factory of Chinese EV startup Leapmotor on April 26, 2023 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province of China.

China’s EV Rise and the Strategic Challenge for Japan’s Automotive Industry

Aya Adachi

China’s rapid expansion in electric vehicle production is reshaping global automotive competition for both European and Japanese automakers. Japan —a pioneer in hybrid vehicles— is struggling to translate this leadership into battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as Chinese manufacturers rapidly scale production and exports. At the same time, China’s dominance in battery manufacturing and critical mineral processing exposes upstream vulnerabilities for Japan’s automotive industry. Together, these developments create a dual challenge: intensifying downstream competition in electric vehicle (EV) markets and continued dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

View of the ship ™ Excelsior ™ at the LNG Terminal Wilhelmshaven 1 of DET Deutsche Energie Terminal Wilhelmshaven, 30 04 2026

European Energy Security or Acquiescence?

A critical review of the 24 February 2026 United States-Central and Eastern Europe Joint Statement

Loyle Campbell

Sabrina Schulz

Qatar, Ras Laffan Industrial City, built above the world's largest natural gas field

Lessons learned from the Middle East

Ensuring resilience for Europe’s energy infrastructure

Nina Locher

Loyle Campbell

Europe is underestimating a strategic shift in modern warfare: the intentional targeting of critical infrastructure. Russia has targeted Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure for years, but such energy systems have become central in the Iran War. Energy infrastructure is a particular focus: Strikes on gas and oil facilities illustrate how quickly economies can be destabilized by disrupting power grids, industrial production, and civilian supply. The resilience of critical infrastructure must move to the center of Germany’s and Europe’s defense and security agenda.

The Taiwanese company CTi Cable, manufacturer of cables and interconnection systems, ceremonially launched its first European production center

National Mesh Network an Option

Valentin Weber

Taiwan relies on subsea cables, satellites and fiber optic cables to remain connected. However, in times of conflict, none of these would be enough to ensure that the government can communicate with its citizens, or that citizens could communicate with each other. A mesh network, on the other hand, ensures sovereignty and autonomy. We therefore propose that the government initiate a discussion about constructing the world’s first national mesh network in Taiwan.