Jonas Nahm
@jonasnahm.com
Associate Professor at Hopkins/SAIS. Former White House industrial strategy economist. Industrial policy, trade, climate, economic security. Views my own. DC | SF. 🏳️🌈
Industrial policy is back — and it's changing fast. What started as "green" strategy is now a global race for clean tech competitiveness and economic security. But do we actually know what works? That's what we're asking at the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center. /1
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Industrial policy is back — and it's changing fast. What started as "green" strategy is now a global race for clean tech competitiveness and economic security. But do we actually know what works? That's what we're asking at the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center. /1
Germany apparently not so sure it wants to save its auto sector by making it competitive.
German auto summit tomorrow.
The sole focus on the EU combustion engine phase-out, which is 10 years away, is baffling because German cars have a demand problem today
Berlin worries a new EV subsidy scheme would be fiscally too expensive.
But demand-side support is a fiscal no-brainer here.
1/
The sole focus on the EU combustion engine phase-out, which is 10 years away, is baffling because German cars have a demand problem today
Berlin worries a new EV subsidy scheme would be fiscally too expensive.
But demand-side support is a fiscal no-brainer here.
1/
October 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Germany apparently not so sure it wants to save its auto sector by making it competitive.
Leave it to the Times to run this story on the LAST day the tax credits for EVs are available. This would have been helpful information for Americans three months ago, or, even better, before the 2024 election!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy
There are a lot more fast chargers than there used to be. Look up what that could mean for a route near you.
www.nytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Leave it to the Times to run this story on the LAST day the tax credits for EVs are available. This would have been helpful information for Americans three months ago, or, even better, before the 2024 election!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
1/ The administration is exploring using Japan's $550 billion fund to directly spur US factory construction through government-backed facilities that companies could lease. This marks a significant expansion of federal involvement in manufacturing.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...?
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
1/ The administration is exploring using Japan's $550 billion fund to directly spur US factory construction through government-backed facilities that companies could lease. This marks a significant expansion of federal involvement in manufacturing.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...?
Happy Samin day to those who celebrate :)
September 16, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Happy Samin day to those who celebrate :)
1/18 The U.S. Trade Representative has initiated public consultations ahead of the mandatory USMCA review on July 1, 2026. This review will determine whether the US, Mexico, and Canada extend the agreement for another 16 years.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-18010.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-18010.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov
September 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
1/18 The U.S. Trade Representative has initiated public consultations ahead of the mandatory USMCA review on July 1, 2026. This review will determine whether the US, Mexico, and Canada extend the agreement for another 16 years.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-18010.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-18010.pdf
1/4 California refineries are closing faster than gas demand is declining. Two facilities shutting down could eliminate another 18% of the state's refining capacity. Gasoline consumption has fallen 16% over 20 years.
buff.ly/26t8H5J
buff.ly/26t8H5J
September 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
1/4 California refineries are closing faster than gas demand is declining. Two facilities shutting down could eliminate another 18% of the state's refining capacity. Gasoline consumption has fallen 16% over 20 years.
buff.ly/26t8H5J
buff.ly/26t8H5J
1/ New report from @bentleyallan.bsky.social's Net Zero Policy Lab: As the US withdraws from green tech industries and pressures allies to follow suit, China is stepping in to power the developing world's energy transition. The scale is staggering.
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
China Green Leap Outward — Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab
A new China Low Carbon Technology FDI Database
www.netzeropolicylab.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:21 AM
1/ New report from @bentleyallan.bsky.social's Net Zero Policy Lab: As the US withdraws from green tech industries and pressures allies to follow suit, China is stepping in to power the developing world's energy transition. The scale is staggering.
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
August inflation:
Overall inflation up to 2.9% (from 2.7%)
Groceries spiked 0.6% in one month
Real wage growth slowed from 1.3% → 0.7%
Your paycheck is buying less stuff, grocery bills are hitting harder. Fed still likely to cut rates despite moving further from 2% target.
Overall inflation up to 2.9% (from 2.7%)
Groceries spiked 0.6% in one month
Real wage growth slowed from 1.3% → 0.7%
Your paycheck is buying less stuff, grocery bills are hitting harder. Fed still likely to cut rates despite moving further from 2% target.
September 12, 2025 at 1:32 AM
August inflation:
Overall inflation up to 2.9% (from 2.7%)
Groceries spiked 0.6% in one month
Real wage growth slowed from 1.3% → 0.7%
Your paycheck is buying less stuff, grocery bills are hitting harder. Fed still likely to cut rates despite moving further from 2% target.
Overall inflation up to 2.9% (from 2.7%)
Groceries spiked 0.6% in one month
Real wage growth slowed from 1.3% → 0.7%
Your paycheck is buying less stuff, grocery bills are hitting harder. Fed still likely to cut rates despite moving further from 2% target.
1/ U.S. officials in Europe this week argued that climate policy is “ideological” and a drag on prosperity. The evidence suggests the opposite.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/10/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/10/c...
Climate ‘Ideology’ Hurts Prosperity, Top U.S. Officials Tell Europeans
Chris Wright, the energy secretary, said he would push Europe to loosen environmental rules and buy more gas. Doug Burgum, the interior secretary, tied fossil fuels to a need to win the A.I. race.
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
1/ U.S. officials in Europe this week argued that climate policy is “ideological” and a drag on prosperity. The evidence suggests the opposite.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/10/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/10/c...
Reposted by Jonas Nahm
Total federal spending is up +8% in 2025 year-to-date to Sept 9 over 2024.
The story that the fed govt is tightening its belt is contradicted by its own real-time expenditure data. Admin spectacularly hammering some things but raising spending elsewhere.
Was -7% just after Inauguration Day.
The story that the fed govt is tightening its belt is contradicted by its own real-time expenditure data. Admin spectacularly hammering some things but raising spending elsewhere.
Was -7% just after Inauguration Day.
September 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Total federal spending is up +8% in 2025 year-to-date to Sept 9 over 2024.
The story that the fed govt is tightening its belt is contradicted by its own real-time expenditure data. Admin spectacularly hammering some things but raising spending elsewhere.
Was -7% just after Inauguration Day.
The story that the fed govt is tightening its belt is contradicted by its own real-time expenditure data. Admin spectacularly hammering some things but raising spending elsewhere.
Was -7% just after Inauguration Day.
Reposted by Jonas Nahm
Graph of intense pain and suffering (this is after the 50% tariffs on Brazilian coffee)
September 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Graph of intense pain and suffering (this is after the 50% tariffs on Brazilian coffee)
The adults in the room: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/u...
Trump’s Treasury Secretary Threatens to Punch Housing Official in the Face
The dust-up, at a members-only club in Georgetown, was not the first time Scott Bessent has shown a hot temper.
www.nytimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The adults in the room: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/u...
US economy added nearly 1 million fewer jobs than previously reported in 2024-early 2025. Actual job growth was only about half of what the government initially claimed. The labor market may be much weaker than it appeared.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/b...
Job Growth Revised Down by Nearly a Million, Updated BLS Data Shows
Preliminary annual revisions could add to political pressure on the agency that produces the data.
www.nytimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
US economy added nearly 1 million fewer jobs than previously reported in 2024-early 2025. Actual job growth was only about half of what the government initially claimed. The labor market may be much weaker than it appeared.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/b...
We begged Korea for factory investments. Our visa system is too slow (and was shut down altogether for a while earlier this year) , so they used ESTA/B-1 workarounds. Now we're raiding the sites and halting the investments we wanted. 22 projects frozen.
www.kedglobal.com/business-pol...
www.kedglobal.com/business-pol...
Korea’s major US investment projects halted as detained LG Energy workers set for release - KED Global
ELLABELL, Georgia – The South Korean government has secured the release of about 300 nationals detained following a raid by US authorities on an ele
www.kedglobal.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We begged Korea for factory investments. Our visa system is too slow (and was shut down altogether for a while earlier this year) , so they used ESTA/B-1 workarounds. Now we're raiding the sites and halting the investments we wanted. 22 projects frozen.
www.kedglobal.com/business-pol...
www.kedglobal.com/business-pol...
Reposted by Jonas Nahm
"The tariffs’ uncertainty has forced insurance companies to raise rates... consumers have to pay that extra cost”
September 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
"The tariffs’ uncertainty has forced insurance companies to raise rates... consumers have to pay that extra cost”
Reposted by Jonas Nahm
America lost 7k construction jobs in August, and overall job growth in the sector is now at its worst pace since the pandemic
Over the last year, the US has lost 31k jobs in residential construction and only gained 78k jobs in nonresidential & civil construction
Over the last year, the US has lost 31k jobs in residential construction and only gained 78k jobs in nonresidential & civil construction
September 5, 2025 at 1:25 PM
America lost 7k construction jobs in August, and overall job growth in the sector is now at its worst pace since the pandemic
Over the last year, the US has lost 31k jobs in residential construction and only gained 78k jobs in nonresidential & civil construction
Over the last year, the US has lost 31k jobs in residential construction and only gained 78k jobs in nonresidential & civil construction
1/8 John Deere is the exact type of American manufacturing company Trump says he wants to protect with tariffs. But those same tariffs are crushing the iconic tractor maker—and it's a perfect case study in how trade wars backfire.
buff.ly/gBpj5xy
buff.ly/gBpj5xy
September 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
1/8 John Deere is the exact type of American manufacturing company Trump says he wants to protect with tariffs. But those same tariffs are crushing the iconic tractor maker—and it's a perfect case study in how trade wars backfire.
buff.ly/gBpj5xy
buff.ly/gBpj5xy
September 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
September 5, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Reposted by Jonas Nahm
Ahead of #JobsDay tomorrow, Friends of BLS published a FAQ answering pressing questions like:
Can the public trust BLS products?
What's up with the firing of Dr. McEntarfer & nomination of Dr. Antoni?
Why and how does the BLS revise jobs estimates?
#EconSky
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2025...
Can the public trust BLS products?
What's up with the firing of Dr. McEntarfer & nomination of Dr. Antoni?
Why and how does the BLS revise jobs estimates?
#EconSky
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2025...
Background Information for Jobs Day – Sept 5 — The Friends of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Click Background Information for Jobs Day – Sept 5 to read the entire PDF document.
www.friendsofbls.org
September 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Ahead of #JobsDay tomorrow, Friends of BLS published a FAQ answering pressing questions like:
Can the public trust BLS products?
What's up with the firing of Dr. McEntarfer & nomination of Dr. Antoni?
Why and how does the BLS revise jobs estimates?
#EconSky
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2025...
Can the public trust BLS products?
What's up with the firing of Dr. McEntarfer & nomination of Dr. Antoni?
Why and how does the BLS revise jobs estimates?
#EconSky
www.friendsofbls.org/updates/2025...
1/12 Yale Budget Lab's new analysis reveals mixed results from 2025 tariffs through August. Some effects align with economic theory, others present concerning developments, and a few show unexpected bright spots. Here's what the data shows:
budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sho...
budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sho...
Short-Run Effects of 2025 Tariffs So Far
Tariff Revenue: New 2025 tariffs have raised $88 billion in revenue year-to-date through August so far, with the new tariffs responsible for about $23 billion in revenues in August alone.
budgetlab.yale.edu
September 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
1/12 Yale Budget Lab's new analysis reveals mixed results from 2025 tariffs through August. Some effects align with economic theory, others present concerning developments, and a few show unexpected bright spots. Here's what the data shows:
budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sho...
budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sho...
Perhaps not entirely surprising, but trade policy uncertainty is preventing the kind of reshoring from China that is ostensibly one of the administration's central goals. For now, firms are staying put.
www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Trump’s attempts to lure companies away from China are backfiring
U.S. firms wrestling with Trump’s unpredictable trade policy are calculating it's better to stay put in China than reshore — at least for now.
www.politico.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Perhaps not entirely surprising, but trade policy uncertainty is preventing the kind of reshoring from China that is ostensibly one of the administration's central goals. For now, firms are staying put.
www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
1/18 Is China's economy collapsing or dominating? Meg Rithmire's new piece in Current History argues it's doing both simultaneously—and that's the problem.
September 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
1/18 Is China's economy collapsing or dominating? Meg Rithmire's new piece in Current History argues it's doing both simultaneously—and that's the problem.
