China and the EU reach a deal on EV tariffs - hopefully clearing the path for a much faster EV transition in Europe.
Posts by Oliver Braunschweig
“People don’t want energy; they want hot showers and cold beer.” This is what Amory Lovins once said and so true.
Most primary energy we use is wasted in converting heat to work. We don’t have to replace all primary energy - we only need to deliver the energy services more efficiently.
Global investments in energy transition reached new record of $2.4 trillion in 2024 – 20% increase from average annual levels of 2022/23.
1/3 for #RenewableEnergy, pushing #renewables investment to $807 billion.
www.irena.org/News/pressre...
• "Striking a Balance on Local Content Requirements in Trade Agreements: The Case of the Energy Sector" (CEP, 2024) www.cepweb.org/striking-a-b...
Full list: cepweb.org/author/oliver-braunschweig/
Recent publications:
• "Trade Governance for the Energy Future" (CEP, 2023) www.cepweb.org/trade-govern...
• "To Advance Trade Policy, Strengthen the Role of Parliaments" (CEP, 2024) www.cepweb.org/to-advance-t...
My strengths:
(1) translating complex topics into clear insights,
(2) rigorous research with practical application,
(3) facilitating dialogue for solutions.
Working at the intersection of #policy, #sustainability, & people - especially in Zurich? I'd love to hear from you or catch up over coffee!
These experiences reinforced my belief in #collaborative problem-solving.
I'm excited to integrate these tracks - combining policy analysis with stakeholder engagement.
Parallel to this, I've created collaborative spaces for meaningful engagement. From co-founding the Muslim-Jewish #dialogue project "Respect" & building #oikos NYC to co-coordinating #RethinkingEconomics Switzerland. I find ways to meet people where they are & bring diverse views together.
At CEP, I focused on how #trade policy can support sustainable prosperity - from #GVCs for #EnergyTransition to parliamentary roles in trade #governance. I explored how #TradeAgreements can foster international cooperation & balance economic, social, and environmental goals.
#OpenToWork in #TradePolicy, #Sustainability, and Beyond 🧵
After 5 years at the Council on Economic Policies (CEP), I'm exploring my next challenge - combining policy research with collaboration.
Something more: if the EU gave up little (because the "commitments" are unrealistic & not implementable) to avoid a tariff war, did it really fail the Trump test? In my mind, Trump's "victory" is likely pyrrhic, and the EU avoided an escalation with the self-styled tariff man. Better for everyone.
On the EU-US #trade "agreement": @pkrugman.bsky.social.
I agree b/c:
1) Trump shoots the US economy in the foot & cares about being seen as a strong "dealmaker"
2) Europe cares more about real econ effects
3) retaliation by Europe would have worsened the outcome
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
3️⃣ The ERM chapter also aims to reduce #LocalContent Requirements. This is important. However, it should be done carefully (baby-and-bathwater-reason). IMO, one of the issues in the EU chapter proposal is that it is unclear which industries it covers. My input on #LCRs: www.cepweb.org/striking-a-b...
2️⃣ The two sides had agreed that there should be such a chapter. I have analyzed parts of it in two pieces. One on export pricing schemes. I am, e.g., proposing for India to schedule #ExportTaxes to balance the interests and move towards a cooperative approach. www.cepweb.org/balancing-ex...
1️⃣ The #FTA negotiations between the #EU and #India are proceeding. (Conclusion aim: end 2025.) One of the interesting points of the report on the most recent round (May), is that the sides agreed to, for now, not address the #Energy & #RawMaterials (ERM) chapter: circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/092...
The report also helps to better understand the recently signed Agreement on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainability ( #ACCTS ) – by #CostaRica, #Iceland, #NewZealand, and #Switzerland.
(Could also be interesting for @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social?)
To reach our climate goals, it is essential to reduce the $1.4 trillion in global #FossilFuel #subsidies. This @iisd.org report is timely & shows how #trade agreements can systematically tackle them through six concrete building blocks. Essential reading, imho. www.iisd.org/publications...
Gee. Who could have foreseen that more complicated tariff schedules leads to more corruption?
(I have a chapter on tariff complexity in my first book. This relationship is pretty established although I didn’t test it. I did find more complicated schedules lead to less trade even w/ same avg rates)
1/ -* US - EU Tariffs - Negotiation Theory Thread *-
When you are conducting virtually any kind of negotiation, it is absolutely key to keep asking the question:
"Am I making it easier or harder for the other side to explain why they took this deal to the people they report to?"
Thank you! This is very nice to read. Let‘s say that we all can try and play our part. 😉
… are politically impossible (at least currently in the US). As well as discussions over #insecurity through not knowing what tariffs might be looming, etc. A very rich discussion with much food for thought.
I’m curious 👀: What were your main take-aways?
Finally got to it. And it was worth listening to. From agglomeration economies to #tariffs, free #trade and #IndustrialPolicy — not to raise #TFP but for reasons of security and to achieve a #climate #transition (because you want to build the political economy that supports it where #CarbonTaxes …
And it is a great example of the importance to decide whether a situation should be addressed by debating the #essence or #nature of something. Many solutions at the #WTO have been found through categorizations and notifications. But sometimes #essence-discussions they yield ludicrous results 👆
When, according to the #US, is a product „Made in #China“? Instead of a clear-cut issue, the answer is surprisingly philosophical and … bizzarre: on the nature of #RulesofOrigin, which underpin the question of how much #tariff the US will put on the good in question.
CEP Perspectives latest:
- Inclusive, green #financing in #China,
- #CentralBank refinancing tactics,
- #India 's clean #energy policies,
- Lessons from EU #ETS for Low Carbon #Aviation,
- and more
Global Tax Expenditures Database ( #GTED ) now covers 111 jurisdictions!
mailchi.mp/cepweb/cep_p...
Very true. 😄
Thank you for sharing. Very interesting. Although there is a lot of space between 0 and 10%.
This author argues that high #tariffs, and even more so the different tariffs for different origins of the same good, are a strong reason for #smuggling. And the deterrent: many checks at #customs, slowing clearance for everyone.
#MFN tariffs strengthen legality & efficiency, & reduce tensions.
🌍 Klimabilanz-Check: Die Schweiz rühmt sich mit sinkenden CO₂-Emissionen, aber das ist nur die halbe Wahrheit. Denn was wir konsumieren, verursacht global mehr Klimagase, als wir wahrhaben wollen. Durch importierte Emissionen. www.srf.ch/news/schweiz...
Auch die CO2-Emissionen der Schweiz im #Handel (Importe & Exporte) verglichen mit den inländischen sind sehr gross – auch auf die grosse Handelsoffenheit zurückzuführen. Es zeigt aber auch auf, wie relevant die Schweizer #Handelspolitik für die #Klimapolitik ist.
ourworldindata.org/grapher/shar...