Media Archive - Rasmussen Global

Featured
in the media

RG Quick Takes: 2020 EU State of the Union

Rasmussen: Beijing versus freedom

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been key to keep NATO and EU allies clear-eyed on Putin’s Russia. Yet if I agree with my Polish friends that Russia might pose the closest geographic threat, China is fast rivalling them in their efforts to destabilize European democracies and undermine our freedom. For over a decade, […]

Rasmussen: China Might Be Willing to Give Something to EU

Fabrice Pothier, chief strategy officer at Rasmussen Global discusses the trade relationship between the EU and China and the predatory behavior by Chinese firms when it comes to European M&A. He speaks on “Bloomberg Markets: European Open.”

Rasmussen: COVID-19 provides opportunity to form alliance of democracies

The COVID-19 outbreak has created a number of global crises simultaneously — in health, economy and politics. Without swift and ambitious actions these crises risk morphing into an existential crisis for free and democratic societies. The pandemic has increased the urgency for a global alliance of democracies to counter the rising autocracies. As the leading […]

Rasmussen Global featured in the Best In Brussels guide

Rasmussen Global has been recognised as among the best consultancies in Brussels, having a strong track records in its specialist sectors, services and policy areas. Read our entry here.

New report: China-EU: Living up to the ten actions?

A year ago, the EU branded China a ‘Systemic Rival’. The adoption of its Strategic Outlook was a watershed moment in EU policy towards the new global power. It sought to jointly address Beijing’s more assertive posture and growing footprint in Europe, while finding avenues of cooperation that could strengthen trust. The EU’s ten actions […]

Rasmussen: The EU cannot be naive to Chinese strategic investment

In an op ed for the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues that China will use the Corona crisis to expand its power, especially through strategic investment. He warns the EU not to be naive to this epoch-making challenge, and to strengthen its own internal screening mechanism. Read the op ed in German here. An […]

The World After Covid-19 – Download the report

The world is facing the worst global pandemic in generations. The human and economic tolls are already staggering, particularly in Asia and Europe. What started as a health crisis is rapidly turning into a major economic depression with long-lasting social and political effects. From an economic and geopolitical point of view, there will be […]

Patrick Matthews: 3 ways EU’s new leadership will shape global tech

For The Next Web The General Data Protection Regulation was the European Union’s 2018 shot across the bow to the digital world. It tightened rules for companies storing user data and is the reason we were all inundated with opt-in emails from brands begging us to stay on their mailing list. The law also catapulted […]

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: I Led One of the Happiest Countries in the World

For Time Across the democratic world today, people have never been so wealthy, healthy and living in relative peace. Yet they are unhappy, and the orthodoxy that our children will have a better life than us is in question. This unhappiness has become a trigger for unraveling the social contract that underpins our democratic states. […]

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Building a Euro-Japanese Alliance of Hope

For Project Syndicate Faced with Chinese revisionism and the global retreat of the United States, Europe lacks the geopolitical strength and unity to assume America’s mantle as defender of the rules-based multilateral order. Europe therefore needs friends like Japan, and it is now time to take the bilateral relationship up a gear. TOKYO – Geography […]

RG Comment: Ukraine Breakthrough in Ukraine-Russia peace talks as Kyiv agrees to Donbass elections

Rasmussen Global’s Chief Strategy Officer Fabrice Pothier discusses elections for the Donbass region of Ukraine.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: To Counter Beijing, the Best Option Is the G-7

To Counter Beijing, the Best Option Is the G-7 China will likely bypass whatever the U.S. and Europe do to combat it—unless they work together.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Donbas reconstruction: The West must take the chance

This opinion piece by Alexander Kwasniewski, Carl Bildt, Stephane Fouks, Wolfgang Ischinger, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Victor Pinchuk appeared in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on July 13, 2019 The highly symbolic visit by European Council President Donald Tusk to Stanista Luhanska, one of the key transit points on the contact line in Ukraine’s Eastern Donbas region, […]

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Greenland Should Unite the U.S. and Denmark—Not Divide Them

This opinion piece by Anders Fogh Rasmussen appeared in The Atlantic on August 29, 2019. Since World War II, the United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland. Thule Air Force Base, far above the polar circle, was the first line of defense during the Cold War. Today, it remains an important touchstone in […]

Op-ed
China

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Hong Kong showed China is a threat to democracy. Now Europe must defend Taiwan

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Hong Kong’s administration has backed down over the controversial extradition bill, but the canary in the coalmine of China’s tacit acceptance of democracy is already dead.

The Tech Coming Storm

Rasmussen Global and MEP Eva Maydell organised a public event hosted by Microsoft on the political and regulatory challenges that lie ahead for the technology sector in Europe. The #Regulation4Innovation conference began with a keynote address by Alexander Stubb, Vice President of the European Investment Bank. Within months, a newly-elected European Parliament will assemble and be joined in […]

RG TAKE: 29th March – Don’t Save The Date

As the Brexit process continues to be buffeted by domestic political factors on both sides of the aisle, Rasmussen Global’s James Holtum gives his take on what events of the past week could mean for the Withdrawal Agreement, Article 50, and the prospect of another referendum.

RG TAKE: The Case of Huawei

Huawei: The case that could trigger a trade war & a rethink of EU-China policy 31st January 2019 — With Huawei’s woes heating up on both sides of the Atlantic, Rasmussen Global’s Senior Adviser and expert on EU-China relations, Jonas Parello-Plesner gives his take on what this could mean for EU-China policy, and the trade […]

RG TAKE: Brexit Upside Down

A historic defeat: Brexit upside down 16th January 2019 — Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a historic defeat in the British Parliament last night, as 432 MPs voted against her Brexit deal at its first outing in Parliament. Amongst those voting against May were 118 Conservative MPs and all 10 MPs of the Democratic Unionist Party […]

RG TAKE: What to expect from Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer?

From Merkel to AKK – German domestic and foreign policy agenda under a new CDU leadership 10th December 2018 — With the election of the former Secretary General and former Chief Minister of Saarland, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK), Christian Democrats in Germany favored a moderate change of their party’s leadership over a radical and more unpredictable […]

RG TAKE: Macron enters a new phase of his Presidency

Emmanuel Macron broke his silence yesterday in a 12-minute address to the nation. Seen by many as a welcome change of tone and act of humility, the question is whether the costly, symbolic measures announced by Macron will be enough to take the steam out of the Gilets Jaunes movement – Rasmussen Global’s Chief Strategy Officer, […]

Rasmussen Global strengthens political advisory offering with addition of Pierre Vimont as well as growth of Asia expertise and media team

7 September 2018, Copenhagen, Denmark – Pierre Vimont, Executive Secretary-General of the European External Action Service 2010-2015, has joined political consultancy Rasmussen Global as the firm’s Brussels Senior Advisor. Additionally, Jonas Parello-Plesner is now working from Rasmussen Global’s Copenhagen HQ where he will continue to serve as Senior Advisor on Asia-Europe issues. Pierre Vimont has […]

Rasmussen – Europe needs its allies in NATO

This op ed appeared in Süddeutsche Zeitung on the 11th July. To read the article click here. Recent sparring across the Transatlantic has many Europeans asking whether the security alliance that won the Cold War- and kept the peace for 70 years – is fading. At the upcoming NATO summit, all eyes will be on President […]

Democracies are losing the hearts and minds of their citizens, world’s largest study on trust in government finds

Democracy Perception Index 2018 – Read the full report here – The largest single global study measuring citizens’ trust in government indicates democracies are facing a severe crisis of faith in the eyes of the public. The Democracy Perception Index 2018 (DPI) finds that a majority of people living in democracies are disillusioned with the […]

Germany’s differences with President Trump should not lead to a hasty and unguarded European pivot to China

Writing in Germany’s Die Welt newspaper on 24th May 2018, Anders Fogh Rasmussen cautions that current differences between Germany and the USA should not lead Europe into an China’s embrace ‘with its eyes closed’. _ Two countries have drawn the most fire from President Trump over trade: China and Germany. As the leaders of the […]

The U.S. and EU Can Make Transatlantic Trade Great Again

Op ed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen published by Bloomberg View – 22nd March 2018 EU leaders should seize the trade crisis over steel and aluminium as an opportunity to present a bolder option by offering President Donald Trump — who prides himself on his dealmaking skills — a big free-trade bargain.

The democratic world’s fightback against Russia’s hybrid war on the West is now long overdue

Op Ed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen in The Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2018 — The outrage in Salisbury was not an isolated attack, but one piece in a much bigger puzzle of Vladimir Putin’s so-called hybrid war on the West. This war involves many tactics, from conventional warfare to cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, hacking, election interference […]

Can the UN unite Ukraine? RG: Expert Report on Peacekeeping in Eastern Ukraine

Rasmussen Global commissioned a report by UN expert Richard Gowan to examine the make- up of a peacekeeping mission that could realistically bring about long-lasting peace in the Donbas. The report was published by the Hudson Institute. Key points include: A peace-keeping force will need a robust mandate and include 20,000 personnel; non- NATO European […]

Rasmussen: The EU-Japan trade agreement is about freedom, and we need Japan’s help to defend it.

Writing in Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik and in The Japan Times, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has argued that the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement sends a powerful sign that US retrenchment on trade will not see the democratic world abandoning the open, rules-based trading system. The op ed was published to coincide with Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s visit […]

Rasmussen Global expands team and services

Rasmussen Global is expanding its team and services with the appointment of Nina Schick as Director of Data and Polling, and Henrik Overgaard Madsen as Senior Business Adviser with a focus on the Nordics. Nina Schick has worked on decisive European political campaigns and elections, including the UK’s EU Referendum, and Emmanuel Macron’s Presidential campaign. […]

Brexit phase II: potential rifts among the EU27

As Brexit negotiations are entering the next phase focusing on the EU-UK future relationship, the unity that has prevailed so far within the EU27 will come under increasing pressure. The issues at stake in phase I – especially financial obligations and citizens’ rights – were unifying factors for the EU27. The second phase, however, might […]

Declaration by the Friends of Ukraine Group, ahead of the EU Eastern Partnership Summit on 24th November 2017

Rebooting the European project extends beyond the EU’s boundaries Declaration by the Friends of Ukraine Group, ahead of the EU Eastern Partnership Summit on 24th November 2017 A better Europe implies a prosperous, stable European neighbourhood – one that is fundamentally transformed and has parted with its post-Soviet legacy. Failing to set out the longer-term […]

China’s investment in Europe offers opportunities — and threats

Writing in the Financial Times on the 21st November 2017, Rasmussen Global CEO Anders Fogh Rasmussen argued that EU Member States should take a more serious look at how China’s recent investment explosion in Europe could lead to strategic weaknesses, and questions about the rules-based open trading system.

EU must wake up to the Chinese investment factor

The EU is lagging behind all other major industrialised nations in its response to China’s investment explosion in Europe’s sensitive sectors. Political consultancy Rasmussen Global has published new research today as EU countries and the European Parliament begin considering their response, with a clear policy divide emerging across the bloc. The policy memo highlights how Chinese […]

Foreign Investment Screening and the China Factor – Memo

New protectionism or new European standards? CLASSIFICATION: EXTERNAL SOURCES: consultations with officials in Brussels and key European capitals; open sources Download the report in PDF here November 16th 2017 Executive Summary Chinese businesses have increased and diversified their direct investment at an exponential rate throughout Europe. In Germany alone, the increase was ten-fold in 2016 […]

New German elections are only one of many scenarios: Rasmussen Global expert

Monday 20th November — Rasmussen Global Senior Adviser and foreign policy expert Olaf Böhnke on the breakdown of the German coalition talks. He said: “Jamaica seems dead, at least for the moment. But Germany is not yet on the verge of calling new elections. “For the next few days, President Steinmeier will take centre stage […]

Rasmussen speech to the European Parliament Security and Defence committee

Delivered Wednesday 11th October 2017 — It’s a great pleasure for me to have this opportunity to discuss the security situation in Ukraine. I just came back from a visit to the line of contact in Donbas a few weeks ago. I’ve seen here the ramifications of Russia’s actions. The conflict is by no means […]

From Eastern to Southern flank: the role of NATO

On Friday 13th October 2017, Anders Fogh Rasmussen delivered a speech to the Centre for American Studies in Rome. During the speech he reminded that on NATO’s Eastern and Southern flank, there is a common thread that must never be forgotten: the enduring strength of the transatlantic alliance. Full speech: Not since the end of […]

Rasmussen and Vershbow: the UN should test Russian sincerity for a Donbas peacekeeping force

Leading friends of Ukraine Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Alexander Vershbow are urging the UN Security Council to agree a credible peacekeeping and stabilisation force to help restore Ukraine’s sovereignty. President Putin this week reversed his long-standing opposition to a UN presence in eastern Ukraine, which was put forward already in 2015 by President Poroshenko. However, […]

Rasmussen: EU and Ukraine need a new milestone in their relationship

New study published on prospects for an EU-Ukraine Customs Union Proposing an EU-Ukraine Customs Union would create an incentive for further pro-European reforms in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Speaking at the annual YES Conference in Kyiv on Saturday, Mr Rasmussen argued that the EU and Ukraine have delivered major milestones […]

Transatlantic fallout over Russian sanctions is dangerous

27 July 2017 — Writing in the Financial Times, Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned against throwing away transatlantic unity in responding to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. In particular, he warns that the US Sanctions Bill is ‘not the Trojan horse’ that some Europeans feared it would be.

Theresa May’s Balancing Act

Writing in Berlingske Business, Rasmussen Global Director of Media, James Holtum, argues that businesses seeking to understand the British government’s Brexit strategy should keep a close eye on a group of strategically-minded Conservative MPs. Danish businesses trying to understand Britain’s Brexit strategy should not overlook the role Conservative Members of Parliament play in setting the […]

New US Sanctions Bill on Russia is not the Trojan Horse Europeans fear

The US House of Representatives is expected to pass, later today, the Sanctions Bill, which seeks to strengthen economic sanctions against Iran, North Korea and Russia. The Bill first and foremost codifies existing executive orders placing sanctions on Moscow into law and proposes additional measures. However, these new sanctions, including those on Russian energy projects, […]

The Case for an EU-Ukraine Customs Union

Writing on Project Syndicate, Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues that the EU needs to consider the next steps for Ukraine, to keep it on the path of reform and its European path. One such long-term objective could be an EU-Ukraine Customs Union.

#Ukrainereform: much achieved, more to do.

Ahead of the EU-Ukraine summit, Rasmussen Global has produced a series of graphics and a short memo outlining how the reform process in Ukraine is bringing benefits. Rasmussen Global’s Ukraine Initiative seeks to promote the reform process in Ukraine at every opportunity. Scroll down for more information and to download a memo on Ukraine reforms.

How the British government can keep its composure during the Brexit negotiations

Published in Berlingske Business on Thursday 6th July 2017 Theresa May, Brexit and the G20 Summit Mrs May will not be looking forward to this week’s G20 summit in Hamburg, the first major international gathering since her humiliating election campaign. She had hoped to use the summit to show off her new authority and a […]

Pourquoi l’Ukraine devrait faire partie des priorités du Président Macron/Why Ukraine should move to the top of Macron’s in-tray

Le Président Macron ne doit pas laisser passer l’occasion de sortir du statut quo dans lequel la guerre en Ukraine s’est embourbée, entrainant une dégradation des relations avec la Russie. En échange de son investissement politique, le Président Macron peut mettre en valeur la force transformatrice de l’Europe sur son voisinage, mettre fin à un […]

La paix en Ukraine a besoin du leadership de Macron

Lundi 26/6/17 — La président Macron rencontrera son homologue ukrainien lundi prochain à Paris. Selon Fabrice Pothier, directeur du projet Ukraine chez Rasmussen Global, cela pourrait être l’occasion de relancer les accords de Minsk. Ancien directeur de la politique à l’OTAN et fondateur de Carnegie Europe, M. Pothier souligne que le processus de Minsk est […]

Trump the deal-maker should invest in Ukraine

President Trump can address his Russia headache – and lay the groundwork for improved relations with Moscow – when he meets the Ukrainian President tomorrow, according to a former NATO Secretary General. Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is calling on President Trump to invest time into his relations in Ukraine, which will create new […]

‘Brutal’ Brexit deal is the worst possible outcome: Rasmussen

No deal from the Brexit negotiations would be the ‘brutal’ option, Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned today as he opened a conference on Brexit in Copenhagen. The event, co-hosted by Rasmussen Global and Danish news site Altinget, also heard from Denmark’s Finance Minister Kritsian Jensen, and former UK Ambassador to the EU Sir Nigel Sheinwald. Rasmussen […]

Former NATO Chief welcomes Senate agreement on Russia sanctions

US-Russia relations cannot get better until they get tougher, according to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who has today welcomed the bipartisan deal reached in the Senate to strengthen and codify sanctions against Russia. The agreement reached late last night would allow for Congressional review of any effort to waive or ease sanctions, […]

Brexit: no deal is the worst possible outcome for the UK and for Denmark

Opening a conference in Copenhagen co-organised by Danish news site Altinget and Rasmussen Global, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that no Brexit deal is the worst possible outcome for both the UK and Denmark. He said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the conference “The Road Towards Brexit”. A conference organised in […]

Brexit: Denmark to give its perspective

The uncertain UK General Election result has left many European allies asking what kind of Brexit the UK will seek, and whether it is in a position to open negotiations. A conference in Copenhagen this Tuesday morning will discuss the Danish perspective with speakers including Denmark’s Finance Minister, a former Prime Minister and Secretary General of […]

Macron and Merkel can make the EU strong again

Writing in Danish business newspaper Berlingske, Rasmussen Global Senior Adviser in Berlin, Olaf Böhnke, has given his assessment of Macron’s election, and its implications for the future of the EU. He wrote: By Olaf Böhnke, Seniorrådgiver (Berlin) In eleven years as German chancellor, Angela Merkel’s key project, the European integration process, has consistently come under fire. […]

WSJ: Invest in Counterterrorism to Reinvigorate NATO

NATO leaders should agree to establish a common, billion-dollar counterterrorism fund, and to set up a fully operational counterterror and training headquarters, Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues in an opinion editorial for the Wall Street Journal Europe. He said: “Instead of limiting ambition, European leaders should encourage it. They could meet both of Mr. Trump’s demands […]

Macron doit « réorienter les intérêts stratégiques de la France vers l’Est »

Dans une tribune au « Monde », l’ancien secrétaire général de l’OTAN et ancien premier ministre danois explique pourquoi l’Europe centrale doit constituer une priorité pour Paris. Emmanuel Macron a personnellement fait les frais de l’influence invisible et délétère de la Russie sur la campagne présidentielle française, que ce soit à travers un soutien ouvert à Marine […]

Rasmussen Global opens its new office in Brussels

Diplomats, politicians, think tanks and journalists joined Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other Rasmussen Global staff to formally launch the Brussels office.

Only Trump Can Go to Ukraine

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Anders Fogh Rasmussen argues that President Trump needs to articulate a strong policy on Russia and find a new formula for engagement. He concludes: “For Moscow it could mean the end of economic sanctions; and for President Trump it could be the gambit that finally puts his Russia demons to […]

New report: No Ill Effects on U.S. Economy Found For Continued Pressure on Kremlin

New research released today shows that the sanctions against Russia for their invasion of Ukraine have been effective in pressuring and punishing the aggressor, although stronger sanctions would be necessary to further prevent Russian disruptive actions and resolve the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The report, written by independent sanctions experts and commissioned by Rasmussen Global, […]

Message to Trump and Merkel: Don’t forget Crimea

“Russia’s aggressive actions cannot be forgiven, and Crimea cannot be forgotten” – that is the message from former NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, ahead of Chancellor Merkel’s visit to President Trump and the three-year anniversary of Crimea’s illegal occupation by Russia. The Friends of Ukraine group of former heads of state and government, and senior officials has […]

Advisory Note: Decrypting the Trump Effect

Behind the official greetings, European capitals are holding their breath about the consequences of the American elections. With Trump, Brexit no longer looks like an isolated event. It is now clear that the entire liberal system is under great pressure.

The New Deterrent? International Sanctions Against Russia Over the Ukraine Crisis: Impact, Cost, and Further Action

Rasmussen Global commissioned a report by independent international sanctions experts on the state of play and effectiveness of sanctions vis-à-vis Russia.

Factsheet About U.S. Sanctions on Russia

The current sanctions regime on Russia represents a leverage for the US. It enjoys strong public support and has had a significant impact on Russia with minute economic costs for the US. Ultimately, sanctions on Russia have worked. They have helped restrain the Kremlin’s aggression by placing considerable economic costs on Russia.

Energy Regulator Reform Draft Law Voted By Ukraine’s Rada – A New Stage in Ensuring Ukraine’s Energy Independence and Cutting Corruption

On 22 September 2016, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada voted the law on the National Commission on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NEURC) in the second and final reading. A total of 250 lawmakers supported the bill.

Electronic Asset Declaration System Goes Live in Ukraine – A New Stage In The Fight Against Corruption

An unparalleled system of mandatory online asset declarations (e-declarations) for up to 300,000 public officials has gone live today in Ukraine.

Brexit Signals Difficult Times Ahead: More Questions Than Answers After May Speech

Today’s speech by British Prime Minister Theresa May did not fully succeed in shedding clarity about Brexit by outlining a definite no to membership in the single market.

Joint Declaration of the Friends of Ukraine Group

Ukraine’s reform efforts are unparalleled in the country’s post-Soviet history. This is a remarkable feat considering that Russia’s government continues to occupy Crimea as well as foment aggression in Donbas.

Ukraine is Making Progress Against Tough Odds. It Deserves US Support.

Building a democracy isn’t easy, even in the best of circumstances.

The United States Must Be the World’s Policeman

Only America has the material and moral greatness to stop the slide into chaos and foster peace

The Next U.S. President Must Look to These Three Heroes

Anders Fogh Rasmussen served as Denmark’s prime minister from 2001, until he was elected secretary general of NATO from 2009 to 2014. He is the author of the book, “The Will to Lead—America’s Indispensable Role in the Global Fight For Freedom”

‘America First’ Should Not Mean Putting Allies Last

Will the new president set aside the contradictory foreign policy of candidate Trump?

Why Elites are Wrong and President Trump Can Restore America’s Global Leadership

Donald Trump has the potential to stabilize American politics, says a former NATO secretary-general

Extend European Sanctions to Keep Russia in Check

Despite the EU’s resolve on Crimea, Moscow remains largely unfazed, writes Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Few in 2014 would have thought the west — and especially the EU — would have maintained sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine for more than two years.

Featured in the media