Effects of deglobalisation
on Germany and Europe

Client

Bavarian Business Association (vbw)

Year

2023


For more than a decade, the world economic order, which has been relatively stable for decades, has been in a state of upheaval. Geopolitical tensions between democratic countries and authori-tarian states are increasing. At the centre of these tensions is the rivalry between the United States and China. On behalf of the Bavarian Business Association, Prognos outlines scenarios for a deglobalised world economy. This reveals the effects that an intensification of the disputes could have on the German and European economies.

The EU's position in a bi-polarised world economy

Should a massive economic confrontation between the US and China occur, the EU and Germany could be faced with the choice of having to choose "one side".

  • The US and a hypothetical US bloc
  • China and a hypothetical China bloc
  • Becoming a neutral player

All three decision options would entail serious negative economic consequences. An analysis of the economic links shows that European countries are the most important trading partners for both the EU countries and Germany. But economic exchange with non-European countries is also of great importance:

  • In foreign trade and imports of raw materials, links with China and the Chinese-dominated bloc predominate.
  • The USA and the US-dominated bloc are the more important partners in terms of interna-tional investment and research relations.     

Not a positive outlook. Nevertheless, being a global economic heavyweight, the EU has a strong negotiating position. It could, to some extent, try to avoid being involved in the conflict between the USA and China. The EU’s position would be strengthened if it succeeds in binding non-aligned states and non-EU countries more closely to it economically and politically.

Our approach

After outlining the scenarios, a comprehensive statistical data analysis was carried out. Prognos used, among others, the Prognos World Trade Model, multi-regional input-output calculations and data from the PATSTAT database of the European Patent Office, investment data from Eurostat and foreign trade data from the UN Comtrade database.

Links and downloads

To the study (vbw website in German)

Project team: Jakob Ambros, Dr Michael Böhmer, Philipp Anton Kreutzer, Johann Weiß

Last update: 31.07.2023

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Johann Weiß

Senior Project Manager

View profile

Philipp Kreuzer

Project Manager

View profile

More studies & projects on this topic

Competitiveness of European clean energy technologies

2025
| Project

In recent years, Europe has maintained its strong position in the global market for clean energy technologies, but faces growing competition. On behalf of the European Commission, we examined the competitiveness of these technologies.

Full-day care for primary school children: where the federal states currently stand

ongoing
| Project

Germany needs around 166,000 additional full-time places for primary school children by the summer. We are examining how this can be achieved for the Federal Ministry of Education.

Evaluation of the European Green Deal

2025
| Project

How effective are EU cohesion and structural policies in driving green change in Europe? We examined this and other questions together with COWI, Milieu and CSIL on behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO).

S3 Community of Practice: Smart Specialisation in Europe

ongoing
| Project

How can smart specialisation be empirically justified and managed? On behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO), Prognos is implementing the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) together with a network of partners.

Regional contributions to climate neutrality

ongoing
| Project

For the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion (ESPON), we are investigating how regions can work together more effectively to protect the climate.

Mid-term evaluation of the Single Market Programme (SMP)

2025
| Project

The Single Market Programme promotes the EU internal market in order to strengthen it, standardise it and make it more competitive. Prognos was involved in the mid-term evaluation of the programme.

Socially just transition to climate neutrality in the EU

ongoing
| Project

To facilitate the transition to a climate-neutral economy, Prognos is supporting the European Commission in implementing the European Fair Transition Observatory (EFTO).

Living conditions of refugees with disabilities in Germany

ongoing
| Project

How do refugees with disabilities live in Germany? And how can they find work? We are addressing these issues in a study for the German Red Cross.

Data for environmental policy: core economic sectors redefined

2025
| Project

Prognos developed a methodology for Eurostat for regular data collection for the European Environmental Goods and Services Sector (EGSS).

Mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027

2025
| Project

We conducted a mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027 on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

About us

We combine economic research and strategy consulting for sustainable decisions in politics, business and society. Our robust data, precise analyses and scientifically based findings enable fact-based progress – financially independent, politically neutral. 

Learn more