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The Transatlantic Economy in 2026

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 13:00 - 17:00 CET

Present Uncertainties and Future Strategy

Since the signing of the United States-European Union bilateral trade deal on July 27, 2025 two key issues are emerging that will determine the short- and long-term health of the transatlantic economic relationship.

First, how will German and EU approaches to economic security—including trade, export controls, investment screening, critical minerals, and innovation policies—evolve in the coming year and will they offer a platform for joint efforts with the United States, especially as regards China and its manufacturing and technology challenges?

Second, it has been clear for at least ten years that the global trading system needs updating. How can the United States, Germany, the EU, and other key economies work together to reform existing institutions and to create new ones to address national security, industrial policy, supply chains, energy and climate challenges, and technologies like artificial intelligence that also respond to domestic political dynamics?

Confirmed Panelists

Christian Forwick, Deputy Director-General, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director-General, DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission

Laura von Daniels, Senior Research Fellow, Americas Research Unit, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)

Gabriel Felbermayr, Director, Austrian Institute for Economic Research

Matthias Krämer, Head External Economic Policy, Federation of German Industries/BDI

David Metzner, Managing Partner, ACG Analytics

Just two days ahead of the Munich Security Conference, the AGI Frankfurt Symposium will provide a timely and high-level opportunity to examine both the frictions and opportunities in the transatlantic economic relationship as well as future strategies to reshape the global trading system in a way that better advances their joint interests and prosperity.

This event is invitation only. Please contact AGI Program Associate Mr. Jack Fornasiero at jfornasiero@aicgs.org with any questions.

  • 1:00pm
    Welcome
    Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist, Berenberg Bank
    Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
  • 1:15 - 2:30pm
    Session I: Economic Security and Economic Competitiveness
    Christian Forwick, Deputy Director-General, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
    Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director-General, DG Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
    Laura von Daniels, Senior Research Fellow, Americas Research Unit, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)
    Moderator: Peter Rashish, Vice President and Director of the Geoeconomics Program, AGI
  • 2:30 - 2:45pm
    Coffee Break
  • 2:45 - 3:55pm
    Session II: The Political Economy of the Next Global Trading System
    Gabriel Felbermayr, Director, Austrian Institute for Economic Research
    Matthias Krämer, Head External Economic Policy, Federation of German Industries/BDI
    David Metzner, Managing Partner, ACG Analytics
    Moderator: Lisandra Flach, Director, Ifo Center for International Economics
  • 3:55pm
    Closing Remarks
    Jeff Rathke, President, AGI
  • 4:00 - 5:00pm
    Reception
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