Brad Setser
Brad Setser is the Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he provides expert analysis on global trade, international finance, and capital flows. He is widely recognized for his in-depth commentary and research published on his acclaimed blog, “Follow the Money,” which examines the complexities of the global economy, currency markets, and financial imbalances. Setser’s expertise spans global trade dynamics, sovereign debt restructuring, and financial vulnerability analysis, making him one of the leading voices in international macroeconomic policy. Before joining CFR, he served as Senior Adviser to the U.S. Trade Representative ), where he worked on the resolution of key international trade disputes and cross-border economic issues. Previously, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, contributing to U.S. policy responses during Europe’s financial crisis, managing work on currency policy, financial sanctions, and commodity shocks, and helping to address Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring. Earlier in his career, Setser was Director of Global Research at Roubini Global Economics, where he co-authored the influential book Bailouts or Bail-ins? with economist Nouriel Roubini, exploring strategies for managing financial crises and sovereign debt.
Brad Setser Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow
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Deputy Assistant Secretary on International Economic Analysis
Academic History
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D.Phil., International Relations
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B.A., Government
Brad Setser is the Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), one of the world’s most influential think tanks in global policy and international relations.
He first joined CFR as an International Affairs Fellow in 2003 and later served as a Fellow for International Economics from 2007 to 2009.
In 2015, he rejoined the institution as the Steven A. Tananbaum Senior Fellow for International Economics before assuming his current role.
At CFR, Setser leads research on global financial stability, international trade, currency policy, and sovereign debt restructuring.
He is the author of the acclaimed economics blog Follow the Money, where he analyzes global economic imbalances, foreign exchange reserves, and capital flows.
In 2016, The Washington Post described his blog as a “must-read for those in the economics blogosphere,” underscoring his influence among policymakers, academics, and financial professionals.
EARLY CAREER
Setser served as Senior Adviser to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where he worked on the resolution of significant international trade disputes and helped shape U.S. trade strategy.
As Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Setser played a pivotal role in managing U.S. responses to Europe’s sovereign debt crisis, currency and balance of payments issues, financial sanctions, and commodity market shocks, as well as Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring.
He also served as Director for International Economics on the National Economic Council (NEC) and the National Security Council (NSC), advising senior policymakers on macroeconomic and geopolitical intersections of finance, trade, and national security.
In addition, Setser was a Visiting Scholar at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and has contributed to thought leadership in international financial reform.
MEDIA PRESENCE & PUBLICATIONS
Brad Setser is widely regarded as a leading voice in international finance and trade policy, frequently cited in top-tier media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Reuters.
He has authored op-eds in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, offering insights on U.S. trade strategy, global capital flows, and macroeconomic vulnerabilities.
His scholarly and policy-oriented work has appeared in publications including Foreign Affairs, Finance & Development, Global Governance, and the Georgetown Journal of International Law.
Through his writing and commentary, Setser continues to shape the global conversation on sovereign debt, trade imbalances, and global economic resilience.