Episode 131 – Myth Busted? - Europe's Path for Growth and Competition

In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Christian Mumenthaler, former CEO of Swiss Re and current chair of the UBS Center for Economics in Society, to examine Europe’s economic competitiveness at a pivotal moment for the global economy. Recorded live from Zurich, Switzerland, the episode situates Europe’s outlook amid intensifying geopolitical pressures, regulatory debates, and shifting transatlantic dynamics. Drawing on his experience leading a global financial institution, Christian offers his assessment of Europe’s competitive position following the release of the Draghi report and weighs in on whether concerns about stalled innovation and productivity are overstated. The conversation explores how Europe’s financial regulatory and supervisory framework affects growth, whether the continent can balance increased defense spending with ambitions in digital innovation and the green transition, covers some common themes or myths around Europe and its progress, and how Europe should approach its economic relationships with the United States and China as fragmentation deepens. This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.