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International Economic Relations

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Increased international trade, and the lowering of barriers to such trade, frequently results in improved international relations, but it can also lead to trade wars and tariff disputes. RAND research explores bilateral and multilateral economic relations; describes how they affect global alliances, globalization, and the economic health of nations; and recommends methods to develop, encourage, and maintain these relations among diverse nations and cultures.

Commentary
A Case for Greater U.S. Engagement in Central Asia
Central Asia's souring relations with Russia and growing skepticism of Chinese influence have created a rare and valuable window of opportunity for the United States to bolster its image through greater long-term investment in the region.
Sep 11, 2023
Commentary
Consequences of the War in Ukraine: The Economic Fallout
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, projections estimated global economic growth in 2022 would be around 5 percent. But the war in Ukraine contributed to slowed economic growth in 2022 and a slowed recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the broader consequences for the global economy?
Mar 7, 2023

Explore International Economic Relations

Commentary
For the UK's Post-Brexit Economy, No Deal Is the Worst Deal
Brexit negotiations around trade are likely to be complicated for the UK and EU, particularly as a common position between all the parties could be difficult to achieve. Trying to avoid the worst-case economic option of 'no deal' is likely to be at the top of the agendas for both the UK and EU as trade talks begin.
Jan 9, 2018
Report
Testing the Value of the Postwar International Order
The postwar order offers significant value to U.S. interests and objectives and is worth the investment. It represents a leading U.S. competitive advantage. At a time of growing rivalry, nationalism, and uncertainty, a functioning multilateral order will be essential.
Jan 8, 2018
Commentary
Not All Russian Oligarchs Are Alike
The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury must report to Congress the main “oligarchs” in Russia, judged by their closeness to the “regime” and net worth. This broad approach, not aimed at specific wrongdoers, poses several risks.
Jan 8, 2018
Commentary
Why Political Risks May Dampen World Economies in 2018
The world economy has reached its strongest point since the global financial crisis a decade ago. But rising political risks may cloud prospects in 2018 and perhaps beyond.
Jan 7, 2018
Commentary
China's Endgame: The Path Towards Global Leadership
The coming years are likely to see a deepening contest between the U.S. and China in the diplomatic, economic, cyber, and information domains, even as the risks of major war remain low. In its 19th CCP Congress report, Beijing articulated for the first time an ambition to contend for global leadership.
Jan 5, 2018
Commentary
Economic Multilateralism and Regionalism
The trend toward economic multilateralism and regionalism is accelerating. Japan finalized a free-trade agreement with the EU that will encompass some 600 million people and 30 percent of GWP. The U.S. has benefited from bilateral agreements, but would do well to revisit its posture toward multilateral and regional currents.
Jan 5, 2018
Commentary
China's Reluctance on Sanctions Enforcement in North Korea
It's fair to question whether Beijing intends to fully enforce sanctions against the Kim Jong Un regime because such actions tend to undermine China's approach in North Korea. Beijing likely seeks to prevent the collapse of the North Korean regime to ensure that neither a spillover of refugees nor a reunified pro-U.S. Korea emerges on its doorstep.
Jan 4, 2018
Commentary
America's New Security Strategy Reflects the Intensifying Strategic Competition with China
The United States unveiled its National Security Strategy last week, describing China as a revisionist power that actively competes against the United States and its allies and partners. China had strong words of its own in response. Both will need to navigate the relationship in a way that supports stability and prosperity for both countries.
Dec 27, 2017
Commentary
Economic Instability Endangers Democracy
The Western political community is retreating from its own institutions. The problem stems from the fact that the health of democracies is crucially dependent on their economic growth rate.
Dec 16, 2017
News Release
UK Likely to Be Economically Worse-Off Outside the EU Under Most Plausible Trade Scenarios
The UK economy is likely to suffer under the most probable post-Brexit trade scenarios. Leaving the EU with no deal and operating under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules would lead to the greatest economic loss for the UK, reducing GDP by nearly 5 per cent, or $140 billion, 10 years after Brexit, compared with EU membership.
Dec 12, 2017
Testimony
Taking Action Against U.S. Import Dependence
When a country that controls its materials production dominates the supply chain for a critical material—as China does with tungsten—it's harder for American manufacturers to compete. But the United States can take steps to help mitigate this issue.
Dec 12, 2017
Commentary
The Burdens of Brexit
The economic consequences of Brexit are likely to be negative across a wide range of scenarios, including the most likely outcomes that the UK now faces. If the UK leaves the EU with no trade deal it could lose 4.9 percent of GDP, or $140 billion, after 10 years.
Dec 12, 2017
Project
The Economic Impact of Brexit
The UK is likely to be economically worse off outside of the European Union under most plausible scenarios. Leaving the EU with no deal and applying World Trade Organization rules would lead to the greatest economic losses for the UK.
Dec 11, 2017
Report
Potential Impacts of Brexit on UK, EU, U.S. Economies
The UK economy is likely to suffer under the most probable post-Brexit trade scenarios. Leaving the EU with no deal would make the UK nearly 5 percent poorer in 2029 than if it had remained. The most beneficial scenario would be a trilateral UK-EU-U.S. agreement, but that is unlikely in the current political environment.
Dec 11, 2017
Tool
Calculator Explores Five “Hard Brexit” Scenarios
An interactive calculator based on RAND's After Brexit report allows users to examine how negotiations are likely to affect the economies of the UK, EU, and U.S. in the 10 years after Brexit negotiations conclude.
Dec 11, 2017
Commentary
Why the EU Single Market Has Still Not Reached Its Full Potential
The EU Single Market aimed to promote intra-European trade, increase competition, create more jobs and make Europe more attractive to foreign direct investment. The economic benefits of the Single Market are clear, but closer integration requires political buy-in from individual member states and the EU.
Nov 8, 2017
Commentary
Sustaining America's Economic Strength in the Asia-Pacific: A Narrowing Window of Opportunity
Ali Wyne urges President Trump to reassure U.S. allies that the United States has both the capacity and the willingness to maintain an enduring presence in the Asia-Pacific. That reassurance must be grounded in credible geo-economic pledges.
Nov 8, 2017
Commentary
Killing Iran's Economy Won't Help the U.S.
Iran's economy is likely to be damaged by any new U.S. sanctions, with foreign investment having already slowed in response to President Trump's rhetoric. The biggest losers will not be the Iranian regime but the Iranian people, whose striving the U.S. has long hoped would bring about a less antagonistic Iran.
Oct 31, 2017
Commentary
Despite Tillerson, U.S. Won't Abandon Pakistan for India
There is no new U.S. policy towards Pakistan and there won't be one soon. As long as the U.S. has troops in neighboring Afghanistan, it will be reliant on Pakistan for logistical support, transit, and Islamabad's influence with both the Taliban and its affiliated Haqqani Network.
Oct 27, 2017
Commentary
China's Field of Dreams in Pakistan
China is four years into joint planning and construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a vast economic development package. Beneath the surface, Beijing is testing a new “build it and they will come” model for delivering economic development and foreign aid.
Oct 16, 2017

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RAND Topic:
International Economic Relations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Amal Altwaijri

Ph.D. student, Pardee RAND Graduate School, and Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Amal Altwaijri is a Ph.D. student in the Research, Analysis, and Design stream at Pardee RAND Graduate School and an assistant policy researcher at RAND. She has a dual M.A. in international relations and international economics with a minor in strategic studies from the Johns Hopkins School of…
Mark Stalczynski

Senior Analyst

Mark Stalczynski is a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation. Stalczynski's areas of interest include Russia (its budget, economy, and domestic policies); public finance and government spending; and energy and the environment. Stalczynski often undertakes budget and cost analysis to contribute…

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