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. 🏳️🌈
Subscribe to the NEIS Substack to follow along as we develop these frameworks and share findings with the community building the future of energy and industrial policy. 9/
neiscenter.substack.com/p/green-indu...
neiscenter.substack.com/p/green-indu...
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Subscribe to the NEIS Substack to follow along as we develop these frameworks and share findings with the community building the future of energy and industrial policy. 9/
neiscenter.substack.com/p/green-indu...
neiscenter.substack.com/p/green-indu...
The NEIS Center is developing a research agenda around these questions—funding new research, curating analysis, and building practical tools for policymakers and firms. /8
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The NEIS Center is developing a research agenda around these questions—funding new research, curating analysis, and building practical tools for policymakers and firms. /8
Some insights exist in academic research but need translation for practitioners. Other questions require new investigation of natural experiments unfolding globally right now. We also need guardrails to prevent wasteful subsidy races and share best practices across countries. /7
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Some insights exist in academic research but need translation for practitioners. Other questions require new investigation of natural experiments unfolding globally right now. We also need guardrails to prevent wasteful subsidy races and share best practices across countries. /7
These aren't academic debates—they're shaping the next decades of global industry. The answers will determine who leads in the technologies that define the 21st century. /6
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
These aren't academic debates—they're shaping the next decades of global industry. The answers will determine who leads in the technologies that define the 21st century. /6
Every major economy is subsidizing batteries, hydrogen, and EVs. Will this accelerate innovation or create overcapacity? How do you even measure success when goals span decarbonization, competitiveness, security, and regional development simultaneously? /5
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Every major economy is subsidizing batteries, hydrogen, and EVs. Will this accelerate innovation or create overcapacity? How do you even measure success when goals span decarbonization, competitiveness, security, and regional development simultaneously? /5
The most pressing question may be this: When does global competition between nations drive innovation versus simply waste resources? 4/
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The most pressing question may be this: When does global competition between nations drive innovation versus simply waste resources? 4/
How can nations build clean-tech industries amid technological uncertainty, geopolitical rivalry, and domestic politics? The NEIS Center is developing frameworks and evidence to help policymakers and practitioners answer exactly that. /3
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
How can nations build clean-tech industries amid technological uncertainty, geopolitical rivalry, and domestic politics? The NEIS Center is developing frameworks and evidence to help policymakers and practitioners answer exactly that. /3
Five years ago, governments were spending big to fight climate change. Now, they're spending big to win industries — in batteries, hydrogen, chips, critical minerals, and more. The framing has shifted from climate-first to competitiveness and resilience. /2
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Five years ago, governments were spending big to fight climate change. Now, they're spending big to win industries — in batteries, hydrogen, chips, critical minerals, and more. The framing has shifted from climate-first to competitiveness and resilience. /2
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/...
12/ The proposal tests whether direct government construction and leasing can overcome business hesitation about federal partnerships. Early indications suggest companies prefer regulatory certainty to capital assistance.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
12/ The proposal tests whether direct government construction and leasing can overcome business hesitation about federal partnerships. Early indications suggest companies prefer regulatory certainty to capital assistance.
11/ The scale is ambitious: Lutnick promises "factories built in America at a scale that you have never seen before." But success depends on companies actually wanting to participate in government-backed leasing arrangements rather than traditional ownership models.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
11/ The scale is ambitious: Lutnick promises "factories built in America at a scale that you have never seen before." But success depends on companies actually wanting to participate in government-backed leasing arrangements rather than traditional ownership models.
10/ Japan's preference to avoid legally-binding agreements contrasts with US demands for written commitments. This tension over formalization reflects broader challenges in converting bilateral promises into operational frameworks.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
10/ Japan's preference to avoid legally-binding agreements contrasts with US demands for written commitments. This tension over formalization reflects broader challenges in converting bilateral promises into operational frameworks.
9/ The urgency is notable given economic context. Manufacturing employment fell 38,000 jobs through August even as the overall economy added jobs. The administration needs tangible results to validate its industrial policy approach.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
9/ The urgency is notable given economic context. Manufacturing employment fell 38,000 jobs through August even as the overall economy added jobs. The administration needs tangible results to validate its industrial policy approach.
8/ Implementation also faces practical challenges. There are already disputes between US and Japanese officials about the fund's exact structure. Japan's negotiator outlined different expectations than Trump's interpretation of the $550 billion commitment.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
8/ Implementation also faces practical challenges. There are already disputes between US and Japanese officials about the fund's exact structure. Japan's negotiator outlined different expectations than Trump's interpretation of the $550 billion commitment.
7/ Republican lawmakers show divided views. While some propose funneling money to agricultural assistance, others express skepticism. Senator Hagerty notes concerns about "government playing a bigger role" in manufacturing despite strategic vulnerabilities.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
7/ Republican lawmakers show divided views. While some propose funneling money to agricultural assistance, others express skepticism. Senator Hagerty notes concerns about "government playing a bigger role" in manufacturing despite strategic vulnerabilities.
6/ Some companies remain "hesitant to turn to the Trump administration for financial assistance, concerned about owing money to the government for years to come." This suggests wariness about long-term government entanglements even with favorable terms.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
6/ Some companies remain "hesitant to turn to the Trump administration for financial assistance, concerned about owing money to the government for years to come." This suggests wariness about long-term government entanglements even with favorable terms.
5/ However, early signals suggest mixed business reception. When CEOs met Trump in the Oval Office, none requested government money. Instead, they emphasized regulatory streamlining as the key to encouraging growth, according to an attendee.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
5/ However, early signals suggest mixed business reception. When CEOs met Trump in the Oval Office, none requested government money. Instead, they emphasized regulatory streamlining as the key to encouraging growth, according to an attendee.
4/ The proposal represents a new model: government constructs facilities then leases them to companies, rather than companies building their own. This gives the administration direct control over which industries receive assistance and where facilities are located.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
4/ The proposal represents a new model: government constructs facilities then leases them to companies, rather than companies building their own. This gives the administration direct control over which industries receive assistance and where facilities are located.
3/ Under the US-Japan MOU, a committee chaired by Lutnick recommends projects to Trump, who has "wide latitude" to direct investments. After 50-50 cost splits, the US retains 90% of profits. Trump can impose tariffs if Japan declines to fund selected projects.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
3/ Under the US-Japan MOU, a committee chaired by Lutnick recommends projects to Trump, who has "wide latitude" to direct investments. After 50-50 cost splits, the US retains 90% of profits. Trump can impose tariffs if Japan declines to fund selected projects.
2/ The plan would grant preferential treatment including expedited regulatory review and access to federal land and water. Trump and Commerce Secretary Lutnick have discussed facilities for gas turbines, generic pharmaceuticals, nuclear power plants, and pipelines.
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
2/ The plan would grant preferential treatment including expedited regulatory review and access to federal land and water. Trump and Commerce Secretary Lutnick have discussed facilities for gas turbines, generic pharmaceuticals, nuclear power plants, and pipelines.
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 :)