Should Beijing be pushed to let the renminbi rise?

October 26, 2026 • 4:51 pm ET the GeoEconomics Center Can currency diplomacy address the global imbalances that have featured on both the Group of 7 and Group of Twenty agendas this year? And can the US and the EU finally align their strategies to tackle China’s overcapacity? Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations and Sander Tordoir of the Centre for European Reform join Jessie and Charles in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss China’s trade surplus, the limits of currency policy, and who bears the cost of closing global imbalances. Listen to The Guide to the Global Economy wherever you get podcasts About the podcast Guide to the Global Economy is your go-to podcast for navigating the increasingly busy intersection of global economics, finance, national security, and geopolitics. Through interviews with leading experts and behind-the-scenes insights from the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center, we break down the storylines that matter most for the global economy—from major news everyone’s talking about to developments few have noticed. These days, if you don’t get economics, you don’t get Washington. From tariffs to crypto to sanctions and beyond, our team is here to guide you. Watch and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Related content Explore the program At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future. Image: A hand holds two overlapping 100-yuan RMB banknotes, showcasing their distinct serial numbers and vibrant design elements.