Title: State of economic play: European Union and economic diplomacy

Authors: Gorazd Justinek

Addresses: Faculty for Governmental and European Studies, New University, Žanova ulica 3, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Abstract: The paper presents the state of economic play in the post financial and economic crisis of 2009 and the economic consequences which the pandemic will leave on largest global economies. We present the state of play for these key actors in regard to developments in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation, which in our belief will be the key priority points in the years to come. We present the views from policy and business sector point of view. The notion of Economic Diplomacy, as a soft power, is introduced into this analysis from the point of view of the relevant strength of different economies in regard to the power of their most propulsive (digitalised) companies. Comparisons between the EU, USA and China are presented and policy proposals are suggested.

Keywords: economic diplomacy; EU; economy; globalisation; COVID-19; sustainability; digitalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDIPE.2023.128807

International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy, 2023 Vol.9 No.1, pp.81 - 92

Received: 13 Aug 2022
Accepted: 28 Nov 2022
Published online: 06 Feb 2023 *