Simon Tilford

Simon Tilford

Associate fellow
Areas of expertise 

Britain and Europe, the euro, fiscal and monetary policy, labour and social policy, competition, innovation, environmental economics and demographics.

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Eurozone economic outlook

Eurozone economic outlook: Too much complacency

03 April 2008
A year ago the prospect of the dollar falling to 1.60 against the euro would have brought on cold sweats across Europe. Yet, here we are and there is no sense of crisis.
Time for the Export-Weltmeister to start consuming

Time for the Export-Weltmeister to start consuming

13 February 2008
Too many Europeans are blaming the US for the economic slowdown in Europe, as if everything would have been fine if only the Americans were not so irresponsible. This is complacent.
Lisbon scorecard VIII

The Lisbon scorecard VIII: Is Europe ready for an economic storm?

01 February 2008
After more than half a decade of economic gloom, the years 2006 and 2007 restored some much-needed optimism to Europe. Faster GDP growth and falling unemployment were at least partly due to the implementation of structural reform.
Don't be fooled: Bali was no breakthrough

Don't be fooled: Bali was no breakthrough

18 December 2007
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali produced as much as it was ever likely to do. There was no breakthrough, contrary to the claims of some that attended the conference.
The euro as the world’s reserve currency?

The euro as the world’s reserve currency?

15 November 2007
Back in the 1970s President Nixon’s treasury secretary, John Connally, famously quipped that “the dollar may be our currency, but it’s your problem”.
The Microsoft appeal: The Commission was right

The Microsoft appeal: The Commission was right

13 September 2007
On September 17th the European Union’s Court of First Appeal will rule on Microsoft’s long-awaited appeal against the record fine imposed on the company by the Commission in 2004 for abusing its dominant position in computer operating systems.
Industrial policy – back to the future?

Industrial policy – back to the future?

01 June 2007
In his book ‘Testimony’, Nicolas Sarkozy, the newly elected French president, wrote that his finest hour as finance minister of France was the government’s rescue of Alstom, a French maker of high-speed trains and telecoms equipment. The company’s banks had refused to extend further credit, and with Siemens – a...
European choices for Gordon Brown

European choices for Gordon Brown

01 June 2007
Gordon Brown becomes prime minister at a pivotal moment for the European Union. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have emerged as powerful European leaders.
What's happening to Airbus?

What's happening to Airbus?

23 February 2007
Top of the agenda when Jacques Chirac meets Angela Merkel today in Berlin will be the crisis at Airbus. The European aircraft manufacturer has been forced to suspend a restructuring programme following inferference from both the French and German governments.
The Lisbon scorecard VII: Will globalistion leave Europe stranded?

The Lisbon scorecard VII: Will globalistion leave Europe stranded?

01 February 2007
Globalisation and the rapid integration of China and India into the international economy present huge opportunities for the European Union.