• Research
  • Strategic Europe
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Europe logoCarnegie lettermark logo
EUUkraine
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Uri Dadush"
  ],
  "type": "other",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Western Europe"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

Other

The Euro and Washington

When the United States says that this is Europe’s problem to deal with and Europe is rich, it should bear in mind that a collapse of the euro would be disastrous for the United States

Link Copied
By Uri Dadush
Published on Dec 17, 2011
How badly would a collapse of the euro hurt the United States? Is there anything that Washington can do to help Europe?
Uri Dadush
When the United States says that this is Europe’s problem to deal with and Europe is rich, it should bear in mind that a collapse of the euro would be disastrous for the United States. It should also bear in mind the magnitude of the suffering in the European periphery.

It is true that Washington hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of the fiscal problems in the United States, but it can and should still help. Unfortunately, the United States has told its traditional European allies that it won’t help with the crisis beyond the federal reserve bank providing some swap lines.

Read more

But the euro crisis is a global problem. It is a European problem and it is an American problem. The United States will ultimately pay for the euro crisis—the question is only how it will pay. There are two options. It will either take out relatively cheap insurance through an expansion of the IMF that is needed anyway or it will pay in a terrible world recession. Washington can’t stand on the sidelines.  MORE►

About the Author

Uri Dadush

Former Senior Associate, International Economics Program

Dadush was a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He focuses on trends in the global economy and is currently tracking developments in the eurozone crisis.

    Recent Work

  • Commentary
    The Labors of Tsipras

      Uri Dadush

  • In The Media
    Greece, Complacency, and the Euro

      Uri Dadush

Uri Dadush
Former Senior Associate, International Economics Program
Uri Dadush
EconomyNorth AmericaUnited StatesWestern Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Europe

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    The EU Needs a Third Way in Iran

    European reactions to the war in Iran have lost sight of wider political dynamics. The EU must position itself for the next phase of the crisis without giving up on its principles.

      Richard Youngs

  • Trump United Nations multilateralism institutions 2236462680
    Article
    Resetting Cyber Relations with the United States

    For years, the United States anchored global cyber diplomacy. As Washington rethinks its leadership role, the launch of the UN’s Cyber Global Mechanism may test how allies adjust their engagement.

      • Christopher Painter

      Patryk Pawlak, Chris Painter

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Europe on Iran: Gone with the Wind

    Europe’s reaction to the war in Iran has been disunited and meek, a far cry from its previously leading role in diplomacy with Tehran. To avoid being condemned to the sidelines while escalation continues, Brussels needs to stand up for international law.

      Pierre Vimont

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    How Europe Can Survive the AI Labor Transition

    Integrating AI into the workplace will increase job insecurity, fundamentally reshaping labor markets. To anticipate and manage this transition, the EU must build public trust, provide training infrastructures, and establish social protections.

      Amanda Coakley

  • EU democracy support policies
    Paper
    European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025

    European democracy support strategy in 2025 prioritized protecting democratic norms within Europe. This signals the start of a structural recalibration of the EU’s approach to democracy support.

      • Elena-Viudes-Egea
      • +6

      Richard Youngs, ed., Elena Viudes Egea, Zselyke Csaky, …

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Europe
Carnegie Europe logo, white
Rue du Congrès, 151000 Brussels, Belgium
  • Research
  • Strategic Europe
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Gender Equality Plan
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Europe
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.