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It’s business models, stupid!
  • Matthias Diermeier / Michael Hüther / Markos Jung ·
  • IW-Kurzbericht ·
  • 11 Jun 2018

It’s business models, stupid!

In contrast to a massive current account deficit against China, the US runs a current account surplus with respect to the European Union. The US-EU surplus is largely driven by a positive service balance and primary incomes originating from US investments abroad. Services and primary incomes overcompensate the US goods trade deficit with the EU. Rather than representing a “rip–off”, the different balances reflect the economies’ different business models.
New priorities for the EU
  • Berthold Busch / Jürgen Matthes ·
  • IW News ·
  • 30 May 2018

European Union: New priorities for the EU

In the face of new inside and outside threats, intensive discussions are currently underway regarding the future of the European Union. The increasing pressure to reform should be used to substantially reorganize the EU budget. The recent proposals of the European Commission for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) still lack ambition in this respect.
On the Future of the European Union
  • Berthold Busch / Jürgen Matthes ·
  • IW-Policy Paper ·
  • 30 May 2018

On the Future of the European Union

The debate concerning the future of the EU has been in full swing ever since Emmanuel Macron’s (2017) Sorbonne speech. New threats to internal and external security in Europe require a stronger EU. In addition, Brexit is ripping a hole in the EU finances.
The Privacy Preferences of Young People in Germany
  • Barbara Engels ·
  • IW-Trends ·
  • 21 May 2018

The Privacy Preferences of Young People in Germany

Data are the key resource of the digital economy and thus highly coveted by a wide range of firms. ManyInternet users are willing to barter their personal information for the use of online services which are otherwise free of charge.
Economic crisis slows European convergence
  • Matthias Diermeier / Markos Jung / Pekka Sagner ·
  • IW-Kurzbericht ·
  • 18 May 2018

Regional growth: Economic crisis slows European convergence

Up until the economic and financial crisis, economic conditions in the European regions had been converging. This process has come to a complete standstill in recent years due to lower growth in Eastern Europe and stagnation in Southern Europe.
The poorer regions are not catching up anymore
  • Matthias Diermeier / Markos Jung / Pekka Sagner ·
  • Interactive Graphic ·
  • 18 May 2018

Convergence in Europe: The poorer regions are not catching up anymore

Before the economic crisis, European regions with low economic output per inhabitant grew faster than the wealthier ones. The living conditions on the continent became more similar. Since 2010, however, the process of catching-up has been stopped.
Tackling Non-performing loans in the Euro area
  • Markus Demary ·
  • IW-Report ·
  • 7 May 2018

Tackling Non-performing loans in the Euro area

The study of non-performing loans (NPLs) is highly relevant when looking for a solution to the ongoing structural weaknesses in the Euro area banking sectors, especially in light of the planned completion of the banking union and the introduction of a European Deposit Insurance System (EDIS).
Herculean task for the Eurozone
  • Markus Demary ·
  • Press Release ·
  • 7 May 2018

Non-performing loans: Herculean task for the Eurozone

The big banks in the Eurozone are still sitting on non-performing loans worth over half a trillion Euros. Especially in Cyprus, Greece and Italy bank failures are likely, as shown in a study of the German Economic Institute (IW). If the banks were to be made fit for the introduction of the planned European Deposit Insurance Scheme, then a great deal of money would have to be spent on their restructuring.
A Challenging Yet Important Impulse
  • Adriana Neligan for the Conference Board ·
  • Contribution ·
  • 4 May 2018

EU Circular Economy Package: A Challenging Yet Important Impulse

The European Commission aims to push forward the concepts of “recycle, repair and re-use” and waste avoidance with its Circular Economy Package. The rationale behind a circular economy is to keep resources in use for as long as possible by looking at the complete life cycle of a resource – from extraction to product design, production and consumption to waste management.
  • Adriana Neligan ·
  • Interactive Graphic ·
  • 11 Apr 2018

A lot of recycling, but also much waste in economically strong Germany

In the European Union 482 kg of municipal waste is generated per person. In Germany it is even more, but at the same time considerably more German waste is recycled.
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