Future is Blue – Details, episodes & analysis

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Future is Blue

Funcas Europe - Agenda Pública

News

Frequency: 1 episode/21d. Total Eps: 89

Future is blue is a series of podcasts promoted by Funcas Europe bringing together academia, think tanks and policymakers for a more inspiring debate about European economic affairs

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🇫🇷 France - politics
02/01/2026
#82

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https://www.funcas.es/
6 shares
http://agendapublica.elpais.com/
6 shares
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/IPOL_STU
1 share

https://twitter.com/RaymondTorres_?s=20
2 shares
https://twitter.com/CC_Urabayen?s=20
2 shares
https://twitter.com/fdelledonne?s=20
2 shares

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Score global : 53%

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Europe’s reckoning: Trump’s “sharp power”, China’s trade shock — and a 2026 test of political will

Episode 89

Monday, December 22, 2025 • Duration 30:08

As 2025 draws to a close, Europe faces a harsher global environment shaped by a more assertive second Trump administration, intensifying economic pressure from China, and persistent internal weaknesses. In this episode of Future is Blue, Iain Begg (LSE) and Raymond Torres (Funcas) argue that Europe’s response over the past year has been largely defensive, constrained by fragmented leadership, stalled internal reforms, and a governance model ill-suited to a world increasingly driven by power and coercion rather than cooperation. They discuss how Trump’s use of “sharp power,” China’s growing trade imbalance with the EU, and Europe’s failure to translate diagnoses such as the Draghi report into action have left the bloc vulnerable. Looking ahead to 2026, both see cautious grounds for optimism — from easing financial conditions to renewed fiscal space — but stress that progress will depend on Europe’s ability to act collectively, particularly in areas such as defence, technology, and capital markets, rather than continuing to rely on national solutions in a geopolitical world.

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Europe’s defence at a turning point: Guntram Wolff says “Plan B” can’t wait

Episode 88

Monday, December 15, 2025 • Duration 32:18

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Guntram Wolff, Senior Fellow at Bruegel and Professor of Economics at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, about why Europe is facing a decisive turning point on defence and security. The conversation explores how Europe has underestimated Russia’s capabilities, the growing risks created by dependence on US high-tech military systems, and the implications of a more uncertain transatlantic relationship. Wolff argues that Europe needs a credible “Plan B”: deeper defence cooperation, more coordinated procurement, investment in new military technologies, and sustained support for Ukraine as a core European security interest.

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Europe’s trade test: How to respond to Trump´s tariff offensive

Episode 79

Monday, May 5, 2025 • Duration 24:18

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Ignacio García Bercero, former EU chief trade negotiator, and Miguel Ángel González Simón, economist at Funcas, to unpack the resurgence of transatlantic trade tensions. As the U.S. reintroduces sweeping tariffs, the guests explore what’s behind Washington’s unpredictable trade stance, how the EU should respond—through both retaliation and global alliance-building—and the broader economic impact on growth, inflation, and investment in Europe. The conversation also highlights key strategic priorities for the EU beyond the U.S., including Mercosur, the Indo-Pacific, and WTO reform.

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Inside the Eurozone’s periphery comeback

Episode 78

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 • Duration 08:07

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Alice Faibishenko, Senior Advisor at Funcas, to explore how the eurozone’s periphery—Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and Italy—has evolved since the sovereign debt crisis. They discuss the different causes of the crisis across these countries, the key reforms that followed, and how structural improvements in labour markets and fiscal policy are now driving stronger growth compared to core eurozone economies. The conversation also covers investor confidence, competitiveness challenges, and the critical question of whether this convergence trend is sustainable or just temporary.
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Navigating a transatlantic storm

Episode 77

Friday, April 4, 2025 • Duration 19:24

In this episode of Future is Blue, host Carlos Carnicero Urabayen is joined by Brad Setser (Council on Foreign Relations) and Miguel Ángel González Simón (Funcas) to unpack the global implications of President Trump’s newly announced 10% universal tariff on all imports — and an additional 20% duty on EU goods. The discussion explores the political motivations behind the move, the flawed logic of "reciprocal" tariffs, and the potential economic fallout for Europe, China, and the US. The episode also dives into Europe’s strategic options, from targeted retaliation to strengthening the single market and forging new alliances.
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Rearmament push: Leveraging Europe’s often-ignored industrial strength

Episode 76

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • Duration 22:28

In this Future is Blue episode, Sander Tordoir from the Centre for European Reform discusses his article Heavy Industry is Europe’s Trump Card. We explore how Europe’s manufacturing strength can drive defence rearmament, the potential of the EU’s REARM initiative, and the challenges of financing and coordination. Sander also highlights the UK’s role post-Brexit and stresses that now is a defining moment for Europe to leverage its industrial and financial power for security and resilience.

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The contours of a policy shift in Germany, with Christian Odendahl European Economics Editor at The Economist

Episode 75

Thursday, March 6, 2025 • Duration 31:55

The latest Future is Blue podcast explores Germany’s historic fiscal shift following the recent elections. Christian Odendahl (The Economist) and Raymond Torres (Funcas Europe) analyze the CDU-SPD coalition’s €500 billion investment package, which marks a break from two decades of fiscal conservatism. They discuss its implications for Germany’s economic recovery, European defense policy, and EU fiscal rules. With Berlin poised to play a more decisive role in Europe, the conversation delves into the challenges of implementing this bold policy shift and how it may reshape Germany’s leadership within the EU. Listen to the full episode here.

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Can Europe Compete in a World Dominated by the U.S. and China?

Episode 74

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 • Duration 32:09

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Carnicero Urabayen speaks with Antonin Bergeaud, Associate Professor at HEC Paris, about Europe’s struggle to stay competitive in a world increasingly dominated by the U.S. and China. They discuss the Draghi report’s key recommendations, Europe’s lag in innovation, the impact of regulatory fragmentation, and what the EU must do to regain its economic edge. With Trump back in the White House and global trade dynamics shifting, is Europe’s response bold enough—or is it falling behind?

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Calm, Cool, and United: How can the EU navigate Trump 2.0

Episode 73

Monday, January 20, 2025 • Duration 30:35

In this episode of Future is Blue, Carlos Urabayen dives into the implications of the U.S.'s evolving trade policies under a renewed Trump administration. Joined by Arancha González Laya, Dean of Sciences Po and former Spanish Foreign Minister, and Raymond Torres, Europe Director at Funcas, the discussion explores how the EU can navigate its shifting relationship with the U.S., balance cooperation and rivalry, and strengthen resilience through strategic alliances, energy independence, and capital market reforms. With insights on multilateralism, defense, and global partnerships, this episode offers a roadmap for Europe in a time of economic and geopolitical turbulence.

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2024 in Review: Challenges, Triumphs, and What Lies Ahead for Europe

Episode 72

Monday, December 23, 2024 • Duration 16:54

In this podcast episode we take a deep dive into the key economic lessons Europe has learned in 2024. From the structural challenges facing the eurozone, such as sluggish growth and energy market shifts, to Spain’s surprising economic resilience and the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, we explore how Europe is navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. Joined by Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director, we also look ahead to 2025, discussing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Europe’s economy.

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Future is Blue – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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Apple Podcasts

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Future is Blue – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other30

Twitter5

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other30

Twitter5