Palma Polyak
@palmapolyak.bsky.social
Senior Researcher @ Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne | IPE & Geoeconomics | Trade imbalances 🚢 & EV battery value chains 🔋
https://palmapolyak.weebly.com/research.html
https://palmapolyak.weebly.com/research.html
Pinned
Palma Polyak
@palmapolyak.bsky.social
· Apr 5
I've been browsing the 'Posts' tab of this pack quite a bit lately — it might come in handy. It's by no means exhaustive, but as a bonus: it's gender balanced.
go.bsky.app/S87TfHv
go.bsky.app/S87TfHv
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Delighted to have consulted on this story. The Trump administration recognizes importance of batteries for drones & AI but is biased against EVs which is biggest source of demand for batteries. Can the US have a vibrant battery sector w/o robust production of EVs? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/c...
The Pentagon and A.I. Giants Have a Weakness. Both Need China’s Batteries, Badly.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Delighted to have consulted on this story. The Trump administration recognizes importance of batteries for drones & AI but is biased against EVs which is biggest source of demand for batteries. Can the US have a vibrant battery sector w/o robust production of EVs? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/c...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
The decision to finance arms for Ukraine through collective EU debt is taboo-breaking--but also part of a larger security turn in Europe. Ophelia Bentley & I have a new piece out that shows how the EU has geopoliticized markets in an unexpected arena: competition policy. doi.org/10.1017/elo.... 1/
The securitization of competition in the European Union | European Law Open | Cambridge Core
The securitization of competition in the European Union
doi.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The decision to finance arms for Ukraine through collective EU debt is taboo-breaking--but also part of a larger security turn in Europe. Ophelia Bentley & I have a new piece out that shows how the EU has geopoliticized markets in an unexpected arena: competition policy. doi.org/10.1017/elo.... 1/
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Not exactly a Xmas merrymaking post, but I wrote something on the changing environment for international academics in the Netherlands and how it has changed over the last 10 years: open.substack.com/pub/alexandr...
December 20, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Not exactly a Xmas merrymaking post, but I wrote something on the changing environment for international academics in the Netherlands and how it has changed over the last 10 years: open.substack.com/pub/alexandr...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
"This is an under-discussed aspect of the EV transition. Why on earth would an oil-less country like Germany be so keen on sticking to the internal combustion engine?"-@giuliomattioli.bsky.social
Many countries leapfrogging & getting EVs QUICKLY. Great Ember report ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Many countries leapfrogging & getting EVs QUICKLY. Great Ember report ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
December 18, 2025 at 10:49 PM
"This is an under-discussed aspect of the EV transition. Why on earth would an oil-less country like Germany be so keen on sticking to the internal combustion engine?"-@giuliomattioli.bsky.social
Many countries leapfrogging & getting EVs QUICKLY. Great Ember report ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Many countries leapfrogging & getting EVs QUICKLY. Great Ember report ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Honestly, from an EU-wide perspective this could be the most significant thing about last night's decision:
The decision also introduces a precedent for flexibility in deciding on this kind of EU funding, namely the possibility of opting out for a few countries that don’t share the scheme’s objectives. This precedent is likely to be very useful in future EU decision-making. A strategic win. (4/5)
December 19, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Honestly, from an EU-wide perspective this could be the most significant thing about last night's decision:
If 24 member states (including all the large ones) have the *political will* to do something, there’s always a legal avenue to make it happen.
Too often, the EU’s hiding behind a tiny member state’s veto threat simply means that there was no such political will in the first place.
Too often, the EU’s hiding behind a tiny member state’s veto threat simply means that there was no such political will in the first place.
The decision also introduces a precedent for flexibility in deciding on this kind of EU funding, namely the possibility of opting out for a few countries that don’t share the scheme’s objectives. This precedent is likely to be very useful in future EU decision-making. A strategic win. (4/5)
December 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
If 24 member states (including all the large ones) have the *political will* to do something, there’s always a legal avenue to make it happen.
Too often, the EU’s hiding behind a tiny member state’s veto threat simply means that there was no such political will in the first place.
Too often, the EU’s hiding behind a tiny member state’s veto threat simply means that there was no such political will in the first place.
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Alors que l’UE se réunit pour l’un des Conseils les plus difficiles, la stratégie climatique européenne vacille.
La voie pour résoudre le trilemme de la transition est étroite — @shahinvallee.bsky.social et @palmapolyak.bsky.social proposent une feuille de route.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/1...
La voie pour résoudre le trilemme de la transition est étroite — @shahinvallee.bsky.social et @palmapolyak.bsky.social proposent une feuille de route.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/1...
Est-ce la fin du Pacte vert européen ? | Le Grand Continent
Alors que les dirigeants de l’Union sont réunis dans l’un des Conseils les plus difficiles et que les agriculteurs européens en colère affluent vers Bruxelles, l’ensemble de la stratégie climatique eu...
legrandcontinent.eu
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Alors que l’UE se réunit pour l’un des Conseils les plus difficiles, la stratégie climatique européenne vacille.
La voie pour résoudre le trilemme de la transition est étroite — @shahinvallee.bsky.social et @palmapolyak.bsky.social proposent une feuille de route.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/1...
La voie pour résoudre le trilemme de la transition est étroite — @shahinvallee.bsky.social et @palmapolyak.bsky.social proposent une feuille de route.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/12/1...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Essentially, we are back to the legal proposal the Commission had put on the table in parallel to using the Russian assets: Borrow on the markets agains the headroom of the EU budget. To do this, the MFF regulation which governs the multiannual financial framework 2021-27 needs to be changed.
December 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Essentially, we are back to the legal proposal the Commission had put on the table in parallel to using the Russian assets: Borrow on the markets agains the headroom of the EU budget. To do this, the MFF regulation which governs the multiannual financial framework 2021-27 needs to be changed.
Reposted by Palma Polyak
A few quick thoughts about this morning's decision. Don't believe the spin from various Russians & others: it's a big deal. The EU has now unambiguously demonstrated that it is able and willing to provide the external financial support Ukraine needs, for as long and as much as it takes. (1/N)
December 19, 2025 at 10:31 AM
A few quick thoughts about this morning's decision. Don't believe the spin from various Russians & others: it's a big deal. The EU has now unambiguously demonstrated that it is able and willing to provide the external financial support Ukraine needs, for as long and as much as it takes. (1/N)
Reposted by Palma Polyak
💥The West urged resistance to Moscow, then stood aside and did nothing when Russian tanks rolled in. This narrative of Western betrayal dates back to Hungary’s 1956 anti-Soviet revolution. Back then the USSR was powerful — not a failing state like today’s Russia.
Will history still repeat itself?
Will history still repeat itself?
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
💥The West urged resistance to Moscow, then stood aside and did nothing when Russian tanks rolled in. This narrative of Western betrayal dates back to Hungary’s 1956 anti-Soviet revolution. Back then the USSR was powerful — not a failing state like today’s Russia.
Will history still repeat itself?
Will history still repeat itself?
I always enjoy inspiring exchanges at conferences & panels — but returning to Budapest to celebrate my alma mater Rajk College is something extra special 🥰
December 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I always enjoy inspiring exchanges at conferences & panels — but returning to Budapest to celebrate my alma mater Rajk College is something extra special 🥰
Reposted by Palma Polyak
In Trump's first year, he has developed a distinctive style of government — authoritarian, but so poorly thought out as to blunt its own effectiveness.
I call it "haphazardism," and it may just be the thing saving
American democracy www.vox.com/politics/472...
I call it "haphazardism," and it may just be the thing saving
American democracy www.vox.com/politics/472...
Trump’s war on democracy is failing
And it’s his own fault.
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In Trump's first year, he has developed a distinctive style of government — authoritarian, but so poorly thought out as to blunt its own effectiveness.
I call it "haphazardism," and it may just be the thing saving
American democracy www.vox.com/politics/472...
I call it "haphazardism," and it may just be the thing saving
American democracy www.vox.com/politics/472...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
✨ MaxCPE is back! ✨
Don’t miss this week's webinar on Wednesday, 17th Dec, at 1pm CEST. Alexandre Afonso (@alexandreafonso.bsky.social) will present his co-authored paper on public opinion towards immigrants & Martin Ruhs will join us to discuss.
✉️ Drop an email to maxcpe@mpifg.de to sign up
Don’t miss this week's webinar on Wednesday, 17th Dec, at 1pm CEST. Alexandre Afonso (@alexandreafonso.bsky.social) will present his co-authored paper on public opinion towards immigrants & Martin Ruhs will join us to discuss.
✉️ Drop an email to maxcpe@mpifg.de to sign up
December 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
✨ MaxCPE is back! ✨
Don’t miss this week's webinar on Wednesday, 17th Dec, at 1pm CEST. Alexandre Afonso (@alexandreafonso.bsky.social) will present his co-authored paper on public opinion towards immigrants & Martin Ruhs will join us to discuss.
✉️ Drop an email to maxcpe@mpifg.de to sign up
Don’t miss this week's webinar on Wednesday, 17th Dec, at 1pm CEST. Alexandre Afonso (@alexandreafonso.bsky.social) will present his co-authored paper on public opinion towards immigrants & Martin Ruhs will join us to discuss.
✉️ Drop an email to maxcpe@mpifg.de to sign up
Reposted by Palma Polyak
I asked Industrial policy expert @jonasnahm.com on China's AI. Excellent response in thread:
1. China *is* investing heavily in AI but focus is not LLM but "physical and industrial AI"
2. New data centers regulations: 80% of AI power demand must come from green electricity
bsky.app/profile/jona...
1. China *is* investing heavily in AI but focus is not LLM but "physical and industrial AI"
2. New data centers regulations: 80% of AI power demand must come from green electricity
bsky.app/profile/jona...
3/15 China focuses on "physical and industrial AI" rather than large language models. Xiaomi's fully automated dark factories can produce one smartphone per second. BYD surpassed Tesla in EV production using AI-driven manufacturing.
August 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I asked Industrial policy expert @jonasnahm.com on China's AI. Excellent response in thread:
1. China *is* investing heavily in AI but focus is not LLM but "physical and industrial AI"
2. New data centers regulations: 80% of AI power demand must come from green electricity
bsky.app/profile/jona...
1. China *is* investing heavily in AI but focus is not LLM but "physical and industrial AI"
2. New data centers regulations: 80% of AI power demand must come from green electricity
bsky.app/profile/jona...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
For electric vehicles transatlantic divergence is even more stark (left hand panel)
The US is essentially closed to Chinese EVs - given the 100% tariff and a de facto ban (US rules to prohibit the import of connected vehicle hardware and software systems).
The EU imports a lot of Chinese EVs.
The US is essentially closed to Chinese EVs - given the 100% tariff and a de facto ban (US rules to prohibit the import of connected vehicle hardware and software systems).
The EU imports a lot of Chinese EVs.
December 10, 2025 at 9:52 AM
For electric vehicles transatlantic divergence is even more stark (left hand panel)
The US is essentially closed to Chinese EVs - given the 100% tariff and a de facto ban (US rules to prohibit the import of connected vehicle hardware and software systems).
The EU imports a lot of Chinese EVs.
The US is essentially closed to Chinese EVs - given the 100% tariff and a de facto ban (US rules to prohibit the import of connected vehicle hardware and software systems).
The EU imports a lot of Chinese EVs.
Reposted by Palma Polyak
I am very happy to report that my article on the strange non-death of credit rating agencies has been published in New Political Economy.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.....
December 5, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I am very happy to report that my article on the strange non-death of credit rating agencies has been published in New Political Economy.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.....
"rather than aiding domestic production, tariff hikes
weaken the US economy"
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
weaken the US economy"
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
December 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"rather than aiding domestic production, tariff hikes
weaken the US economy"
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
weaken the US economy"
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Investment pledges are trademark of Trump's deals, but few are tied to specific projects
• Half of commitments made by governments are vague promises to boost trade or economic ties
• Japan and South Korea are exception to the rule, with US$550bn (Tokyo) and US$350bn (Seoul) investment funds
• Half of commitments made by governments are vague promises to boost trade or economic ties
• Japan and South Korea are exception to the rule, with US$550bn (Tokyo) and US$350bn (Seoul) investment funds
December 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Investment pledges are trademark of Trump's deals, but few are tied to specific projects
• Half of commitments made by governments are vague promises to boost trade or economic ties
• Japan and South Korea are exception to the rule, with US$550bn (Tokyo) and US$350bn (Seoul) investment funds
• Half of commitments made by governments are vague promises to boost trade or economic ties
• Japan and South Korea are exception to the rule, with US$550bn (Tokyo) and US$350bn (Seoul) investment funds
Reposted by Palma Polyak
🚨New Discussion Paper🚨 about the macroeconomic consequences of US tariff hikes, based on quantitative simulations by the European Commission's multi-region New Keynesian DSGE model, QUEST. Thread 👇1/12
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
November 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🚨New Discussion Paper🚨 about the macroeconomic consequences of US tariff hikes, based on quantitative simulations by the European Commission's multi-region New Keynesian DSGE model, QUEST. Thread 👇1/12
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/dow...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Join us next year in Cologne for the 4th Doctoral Conference at the @mpifg.bsky.social. All PhD students in the fields of #economicsociology, #politicaleconomy and related fields are encouraged to submit their abstracts.
The deadline has been extended to December 8!
The deadline has been extended to December 8!
📣 Call for Abstracts!
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Join us next year in Cologne for the 4th Doctoral Conference at the @mpifg.bsky.social. All PhD students in the fields of #economicsociology, #politicaleconomy and related fields are encouraged to submit their abstracts.
The deadline has been extended to December 8!
The deadline has been extended to December 8!
Reposted by Palma Polyak
📣 Call for Abstracts!
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
📣 Call for Abstracts!
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
Join the 4th Doctoral Conference on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy, March 19 -20, 2026 at the MPIfG in Cologne.
🎓 We welcome abstracts by doctoral researchers in economic sociology, political economy and related fields by Dec 8, 2025.
s.gwdg.de/U27NQb
Reposted by Palma Polyak
China’s export machine is a wake-up call for other nations. But it requires targeted and separate responses for national security, innovation, and jobs—objectives that are too often conflated. My latest. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
How to Respond to Chinese Imports
Dani Rodrik explains what governments should be doing to address the risks to national security, innovation, and jobs.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
China’s export machine is a wake-up call for other nations. But it requires targeted and separate responses for national security, innovation, and jobs—objectives that are too often conflated. My latest. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Thrilled to see our latest paper published in @iojournal.bsky.social! 🥳
"Dollar Diminished: The Unmaking of US Financial Hegemony Under Trump" co-authored with Tobias Pforr (@eui-eu.bsky.social) and @fabianpape.bsky.social 🙂
doi.org/10.1017/S002...
"Dollar Diminished: The Unmaking of US Financial Hegemony Under Trump" co-authored with Tobias Pforr (@eui-eu.bsky.social) and @fabianpape.bsky.social 🙂
doi.org/10.1017/S002...
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Thrilled to see our latest paper published in @iojournal.bsky.social! 🥳
"Dollar Diminished: The Unmaking of US Financial Hegemony Under Trump" co-authored with Tobias Pforr (@eui-eu.bsky.social) and @fabianpape.bsky.social 🙂
doi.org/10.1017/S002...
"Dollar Diminished: The Unmaking of US Financial Hegemony Under Trump" co-authored with Tobias Pforr (@eui-eu.bsky.social) and @fabianpape.bsky.social 🙂
doi.org/10.1017/S002...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Very excited about this @iojournal.bsky.social special issue on the future of global governance and world order – many (short) thoughtful pieces, perfect for teaching!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 22, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Very excited about this @iojournal.bsky.social special issue on the future of global governance and world order – many (short) thoughtful pieces, perfect for teaching!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Palma Polyak
Last month we at the Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab launched ACTIVE MATERIALS, our monthly newsletter so you can stay up to date on our research.
Subscribe here:
mailchi.mp/jh/subscribe...
Join us next week at launch of our new tool for picking winners
us13.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1a62...
Subscribe here:
mailchi.mp/jh/subscribe...
Join us next week at launch of our new tool for picking winners
us13.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1a62...
November 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Last month we at the Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab launched ACTIVE MATERIALS, our monthly newsletter so you can stay up to date on our research.
Subscribe here:
mailchi.mp/jh/subscribe...
Join us next week at launch of our new tool for picking winners
us13.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1a62...
Subscribe here:
mailchi.mp/jh/subscribe...
Join us next week at launch of our new tool for picking winners
us13.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1a62...