Global Challenges in Foreign Trade and Trade Policy

From governmental power plays to fragile supply chains to questions about the role of the European Central Bank, the state of the world today has come with enormous political and economic hurdles. On November 20, 2025, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and Aktionskreis Stabiles Geld hosted “Foreign Trade and Trade Policy Challenges Facing the German Economy,” a conference where renowned experts answered questions regarding financial policy, resilience, stability, and geoeconomic shifts in power. “It was a highly successful event marked by lively discussion. Renowned experts offered clear and engaging insights into the current global challenges facing the German economy and outlined necessary steps—such as strengthening the European single market and establishing an integrated European capital market to enhance innovation capacity,” said Professor Ralf Fendel, co-organizer of the event.

The following economists provided in-depth perspectives on economic and policy developments:

• Dr. Rolf J. Langhammer (The Kiel Institute) presented the current geoeconomic situation as part of a long historical development  in which power politics and trade have always been closely linked. He outlined potential solutions for how Germany, and Europe as a whole, could react to such dynamics.
• Dr. Galina Kolev-Schäfer (TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences / The German Economic Institute) shed a light on how Germany can strengthen its resilience and reduce its dependency on global supply chains. In her presentation, Dr. Kolev-Schäfer recommended concrete courses of action for today’s companies and policymakers.
• Dr. Thomas Jost (TH Aschaffenburg – University of Applied Sciences) discussed the role of the ECB as one of Europe’s crisis managers, revealing the limitations of austerity politics as well as the risks of politically rooted monetary interventions.

The event was aimed at anyone who has an interest in recent developments in the economy and in financial politics. In this, WHU and Aktionskreis Stabiles Geld promoted and advocated discourse occurring between science, business, and society.