The central economic role of the United States in question?

The central economic role of the United States in question?

From Graduate Institute What Matters Today by Geneva Graduate Institute

December 2, 2025 · 15 min · Episode 68

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges to U.S. economic dominance in the global economy.

For much of the modern era, the United States has stood at the heart of the global economy—anchoring the international monetary system, shaping the rules of trade, and driving global growth through its innovation and financial power. But today, this long-standing leadership is being tested on multiple fronts. In this episode, we explore the shifting foundations of U.S. economic dominance: from pressures on the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency to the rise of China and the growing assertiveness of other economic actors. We look at how geopolitical fragmentation, internal U.S. political tensions, and debates over industrial policy are reshaping America’s global position. Our guest is Cédric Tille, Professor of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Head of the Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) Programme, and is a Faculty Associate at the Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development.

People in this episode

Guest: Cédric Tille

Topics covered

  • U.S. economic dominance
  • global economy
  • international monetary system
  • geopolitical fragmentation
  • industrial policy

Keywords

  • U.S. economy
  • dollar
  • reserve currency
  • China
  • geopolitics
  • trade
  • innovation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Geneva Graduate Institute

Places: United States, China

More episodes of Graduate Institute What Matters Today

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Graduate Institute What Matters Today podcast page.