Coronavirus

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic threatens to plunge the global economy into a recession or worse. PIIE scholars assess the economic outlook, possible approaches to reverse the downturn, and the factors—including trade protection—that have worsened the situation.

Featured Content

Cooperating on a COVID-19 vaccine is in everyone’s interest
Short Videos

Cooperating on a COVID-19 vaccine is in everyone’s interest

Featuring Chad P. Bown (PIIE)
July 27, 2020
People who lost their jobs wait in line to file for unemployment following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at an Arkansas Workforce Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S. April 6, 2020.
EUTERS/Nick Oxford
Policy Brief

US unemployment insurance in the pandemic and beyond

Jason Furman (PIIE)
July 2020
MANAOS, BRAZIL- The City Council brings health and assistance services to native tribes in Manaus, Brazil on May 21, 2020.
Reuters Marketplace - Latin America News Agency Pictures
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

The pandemic is not under control anywhere unless it is controlled everywhere

Chad P. Bown (PIIE), Monica de Bolle (PIIE) and Maurice Obstfeld (PIIE)
February 2, 2021
A healthcare worker prepares a syringe with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, January 29, 2021.
REUTERS/Mike Segar
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

It's taking too long to get vaccine doses from refrigerators into arms

David Wilcox (PIIE)
February 2, 2021
A waiter wearing a face mask waits for customers at La Mere Catherine, Place du Tertre at Montmartre in Paris as restaurants and cafes reopen following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in. France, June 2, 2020
REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Policy Brief

A new policy toolkit is needed as countries exit COVID-19 lockdowns

Olivier Blanchard (PIIE), Thomas Philippon (Stern School of Business, New York University) and Jean Pisani-Ferry (PIIE)
June 2020
The US has outspent France on job retention and other support for SMEs but had less success
PIIE Chart

The US has outspent France on job retention and other support for SMEs but had less success

Jérémie Cohen-Setton (PIIE) and Jean Pisani-Ferry (PIIE)
June 25, 2020
A customer picks up an item at the grocery store, separated from cashiers by sheets of plexiglass installed as a precautionary measure, during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., March 28, 2020.
REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
Policy Brief

When more delivers less: Comparing the US and French COVID-19 crisis responses

Jérémie Cohen-Setton (PIIE) and Jean Pisani-Ferry (PIIE)
June 2020
Workers at a manufacturer for sportswear for U.S. colleges, are seen at the factory, in El Salvador, August 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
Trade and Investment Policy Watch

Yes, medical gear depends on global supply chains. Here's how to keep them moving.

Anabel González (PIIE)
March 27, 2020
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin arrives for a meeting in the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Washington, U.S.
REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

Getting COVID-19 financial relief to millions of Americans in need requires a multichannel strategy

Donald Hammond (formerly at US Treasury Department) and David Wilcox (PIIE)
March 25, 2020
People walk past the window of a medical equipment supply store advertising the sale of protective masks in south London, Britain.
REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Trade and Investment Policy Watch

A memo to trade ministers on how trade policy can help fight COVID-19

Anabel González (PIIE)
March 23, 2020

Recent Content

PIIE Chart

Japan’s government spent less on COVID-19 stimulus than headline numbers suggest

Egor Gornostay (PIIE) and Madi Sarsenbayev (PIIE)

June 15, 2021
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

A billion COVID-19 vaccine doses are only the first step

Monica de Bolle (PIIE)

June 14, 2021
PIIE Chart

US spending patterns have changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic

Jason Furman (PIIE) and Wilson Powell III (Harvard Kennedy School)

June 9, 2021
Past Event

Women and work: Has the pandemic undone years of progress in developed and developing countries?

Caroline Atkinson (RockCreek; PIIE Executive Committee), Betsey Stevenson (University of Michigan; Former Member of the Council of Economic Advisers) and Abebe Selassie (International Monetary Fund)

June 8, 2021
Policy Brief

Overheating debate: Why not in Japan?

Egor Gornostay (PIIE) and Madi Sarsenbayev (PIIE)

June 2021
Trade and Investment Policy Watch

The US did not ban exports of vaccine supplies. But more help is needed.

Chad P. Bown (PIIE) and Chris Rogers (S&P Global Market Intelligence Panjiva)

June 7, 2021
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

US labor market heated up in May as jobs grew and wages soared

Jason Furman (PIIE) and Wilson Powell III (Harvard Kennedy School)

June 4, 2021
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

Follow the trend: US demand is back, supply is lagging, but both are likely to grow in coming months

Jason Furman (PIIE) and Wilson Powell III (Harvard Kennedy School)

June 2, 2021
RealTime Economic Issues Watch

Current vaccine proposals are not enough to end the pandemic

Monica de Bolle (PIIE)
May 26, 2021
Policy Brief

Economic costs and benefits of accelerated COVID-19 vaccinations

Joseph E. Gagnon (PIIE), Steven Kamin (American Enterprise Institute) and John Kearns (American Enterprise Institute)

May 2021