Videos
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Can We Decouple and Decarbonize? -
Jonas Nahm - Green Industrial Policy: Opportunities and Pitfalls - GoGreenFast
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Clean Energy Now?: The Future of European Energy After Ukraine
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Jonas Nahm: Will China Save the World on Climate?
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U.S.-China Climate Cooperation: The Path Forward | Angel Hsu, Joanna Lewis, Jonas Nahm, Alex Wang
Learn More About Jonas Nahm
Jonas Nahm, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC. As a political economist, Nahm’s research examines how the resurgence of industrial policy is changing the global economy in real time. He is particularly interested in understanding how governments navigate trade-offs between economic competitiveness, resilience, and decarbonization, and the impact of their responses on the architecture of the global economy and firm strategies.
Most recently, Nahm completed a tenure as the Senior Economist for Industrial Strategy on the White House Council of Economic Advisers (2023-2024), where he covered matters pertaining to industrial policy implementation, global trade, and supply chain resilience.
His book “Collaborative Advantage: Forging Green Industries in the New Global Economy” (Oxford University Press, September 2021), investigates the political economy of innovation and industrial development in global clean tech sectors. This work received the 2023 Best Book on International Political Economy award from the International Studies Association and the 2022 Don K. Price Award for Best Book on Science, Technology, and Politics from the American Political Science Association. Drawing from original interviews, “Collaborative Advantage” provides a shop-floor account of how globalization works in renewable energy industries and presents a new interpretation of the consequences of China’s rise for domestic politics elsewhere.
Nahm has published in numerous prestigious academic journals including Science, Nature, the American Political Science Review, and Perspectives on Politics. His research has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2021 American Political Science Association Award for best paper in public policy.
As a speaker, Nahm offers audiences insights into the transformative economic shifts being driven by the resurgence of industrial strategy around the world. His combination of academic rigor, government experience, and global perspective makes him uniquely positioned to address today’s most significant questions about economic competition, technological innovation, economic fragmentation, and sustainable development in an increasingly complex international landscape.
Prior to joining Johns Hopkins SAIS, Nahm was a postdoctoral fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. He holds a Ph.D. in political economy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an MA in political science and Asia-Pacific studies from the University of Toronto, and a BA in social and political sciences from the University of Cambridge. Nahm speaks German and Mandarin Chinese, bringing a truly global perspective to his analysis of pressing questions about the green economy, global trade, and manufacturing in an era of climate change.
Jonas Nahm is available to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting meetings, interactive workshops and customized keynotes through the exclusive representation of Stern Speakers & Advisors, a division of Stern Strategy Group®.
Tariffs, Trade and How We Got Here in the First Place
The international trade landscape continues to be unsettled as tariffs come and go seemingly by the day. How can business leaders, especially those in manufacturing, in the U.S., Europe and beyond, reassure stakeholders in today’s uncertain global marketplace? According to Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and political economist Jonas Nahm, Ph.D., to understand the current state of worldwide trade, it’s important to look back on the conditions that got us here in the first place. In this exceptionally relevant presentation, Nahm frames our current moment in a broader context, addressing questions such as “how did we get to this moment where trade deficits are seen as such a problem?” “What is the dissatisfaction with the makeup of the global economy when it has worked successfully for so long?” and more. Audiences will leave with immediately applicable tactics for making sense of the current state of the global marketplace. Leaders will be newly equipped with frameworks for responding strategically to the evolving trade landscape in the next six weeks, six months and six years.
Understanding China’s Role in Today’s Global Marketplace
With today’s unprecedented globalization, world economies are more reactive to disruption than ever, especially to the policy whims of the U.S. and China. As the U.S. pulls back from global trade with tariffs and export controls, countries are increasingly turning to China as their main trade partner. In this eye-opening presentation, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and former White House Council of Economic Advisors senior economist Jonas Nahm, Ph.D., recounts how China’s entry into the global marketplace has streamlined supply chains and lowered costs, while clarifying how firms should understand the Chinese government’s intervention into its economy. Nahm draws on his experience both living in China and serving as a top White House economic advisor to help leaders, especially those in Europe, understand the trade relationship between the U.S. and China, the American government’s policy goals, and why this moment in the global economy is so disorienting. Attendees will leave with clear strategies for scenario planning in response to a variety of trajectories that worldwide commerce may take in the years to come.
Globalization and Sustainability: How Economic Policy Can Either Push or Throttle Climate Progress
As the climate crisis grows more urgent, globalization has fostered collaboration between countries. But, as tensions grow between superpowers, how will sustainability initiatives be impacted? According to Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and political economist Jonas Nahm, Ph.D., while global collaboration has led to the cost of green technologies rapidly decreasing, rising geopolitical tensions, especially between the U.S. and China, are threatening to derail clean energy progress. In this timely presentation, Nahm draws on his award-winning book “Collaborative Advantage: Forging Green Industries in the New Global Economy,” to take a deeper look at how economic policies – from climate change initiatives and manufacturing priorities to tariffs and supply chains – can either supercharge or stymie green energy advancement around the world. Audiences will learn how sustainability and economic policy are intimately entwined, leaving with a working knowledge of the true value of globalization and cooperation in fighting climate change.
AI Beyond the Boardroom: The Politics and Economics of Emerging Technology
In the last few years, there’s been much talk among corporate leaders about strategies for implementing AI. However, not much attention has been given to the bigger picture of how economic and political policies around the world can profoundly affect everything from AI development to the technology’s impact on sustainability. According to Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and political economist Jonas Nahm, Ph.D., trade policies such as export controls and tariffs are reshaping the global semiconductor and microchip industries. In this revealing presentation, Nahm uncovers how emerging technologies, their development, deployment and environmental impact are tightly intertwined with the geopolitical maneuverings of countries like the U.S. and China. Audiences will leave with a more focused lens into the true power of AI’s influence on politics, economics and global sustainability efforts – well beyond boardroom debates and marketing buzzwords.
Collaborative Advantage: Forging Green Industries in the New Global Economy
(Oxford University Press, September 2021)
Uncertainty is surrounding the world economy and the smooth flow of trade thanks to tariffs, globalization and geopolitical fragmentation. Among the world’s most sought-after analysts and advisors on global economic affairs is Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and political economist Jonas Nahm, Ph.D. A former senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, he helps leaders adjust strategy for today and scenario plan for the future in the face of the reordering of trade, supply chains, and economic and industrial policy. Jonas Nahm is available to discuss any or all of the following topics during keynote presentations and consultations plus small group and one-on-one advisory meetings. Each program can be customized to meet the needs and goals of your organization with the added option of meeting virtually or in-person.
- Tariffs, Trade and How We Got Here in the First Place
- Understanding China’s Role in Today’s Global Marketplace
- Globalization and Sustainability: How Economic Policy Can Either Push or Throttle Climate Progress
- AI Beyond the Boardroom: The Politics and Economics of Emerging Technology
