Sign in

Kimberly Clausing

@kclausing.bsky.social
12K followers 259 following 333 posts

Economist; Professor @law.ucla.edu; senior fellow @piie.com; former tax DAS at Treasury; Author, Open: The Progressive Case for Free Trade, Immigration, and Global Capital

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
IZA@LISER @iza.org · 28/09/2026
🌍 Restricting international #STEM students would cost the U.S. economy billions 🆕IZA Discussion Paper by @mclem.org, J. Neufeld & A. Nice examines what would happen if policy changes restricted the # of intl. STEM graduates transitioning into the U.S. workforce. 🔗 www.iza.org/publications... 1/2
162
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Happy to be a part of this effort. These forced labor tariffs make no sense unless they are understood for what they are: a clear attempt to take authority that belongs to Congress. The tariffs bear no relation to possible underlying harms; they merely create a distortionary and regressive tax.
0157
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Catherine Wolfram @cwolfram.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets has a website! #occcm occcm.org
occcm.org
Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets
The Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets brings together countries or jurisdictions that have decided to move forward together in the decarbonization of the global economy. The initiative aims ...
001
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
AEA Journals @aeajournals.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Very little of America’s post–World War II debt burden was reduced through economic growth alone, say researchers at the IMF and @jhuartssciences.bsky.social. They argue that interest rate distortions played a significant role. #econsky www.aeaweb.org/research/wwi...
aeaweb.org
The US debt-to-GDP ratio since 1946
A reexamination of how America shed its post-World War II debt.
0105
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Cullen Hendrix @cullenhendrix.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The great irony of contemporary US politics: you're already getting socialism—and the Democratic Socialists have nothing to do with it. My latest for @piie.com.
piie.com
You're already getting socialism—and Democratic Socialists have nothing to do with it
The election of New York mayor Zohran Mamdani and the surprising performance of Democratic Socialist or DSA-aligned candidates in Democratic primaries across the United States is reviving interest in ...
22911
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In 1937, Stalin's census found the famine killed millions.⁣ ⁣ His government suppressed the report and shot the statisticians who made it.⁣ ⁣ Three weeks ago, that kind of suppression was illegal in America. Now it isn't. newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/…
newsletter.platypuseconomics.com
The Sentence That Used to Protect American Statistics
"Protection from inappropriate influence is a hallmark of scientific integrity." That line governed the Census Bureau and then the White House quietly disappeared it.
14453256
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Stan Veuger @stanveuger.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
@graemeblair.com, David Hausman, and I organized an amicus brief in Genalo v . G.M., a case the Supreme Court will hear in October. The case revolves around the question of whether due process requires bond hearings for those subject to prolonged immigration detention under Section 1226(c).
196
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
So happy to be part of this effort on climate coalitions, spearheaded by @cwolfram.bsky.social, who provides a great thread here. See also our recent piece in Science discussing these ideas. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Building a scalable climate coalition for heavy industry
Emissions could be reduced, with minimal impact on production, while generating billions in public revenues
041
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
So delighted to be part of this project! Great thread from @cwolfram.bsky.social on our paper in Science.
031
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
(1/2) Free trade is a winning issue for Democrats, something I've argued for some time (albeit w/o success during Biden); see next tweet for one example. Democrats should vow to surrender in the Canada trade war open.substack.com/pub/matthewy...
open.substack.com
Democrats should vow to surrender in the Canada trade war
Good politics, good policy, and the search for a peaceful world require complete repudiation of this nonsense.
261
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
IIPF - International Institute of Public Finance @iipf.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Final keynote at #IIPF2026 : @kclausing.bsky.social on "Evaluating Trump's Tariffs by Tax Policy Criteria"; chair: @ronbdavies.bsky.social (by far not the last event in the program; more working sessions to follow + IIPF and @itaxjournal.bsky.social awards to be announed at closing dinner)
043
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Hear me out. What if instead of selling food below cost to all comers at taxpayer expense, then using more taxpayer dollars to subsidize private companies that can't compete, we had a program targeting nutritional assistance just to the people who needed it, as a sort of supplement?
3101372205
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Maybe now that the bond market cares, US policymakers will follow? Eventually? Carville "I used to think that if there was reincarnation, I wanted to come back as the president or the pope or a .400 baseball hitter. But now I would like to come back as the bond market. You can intimidate everybody.
nytimes.com
U.S. Debt Hits $40 Trillion as America’s Borrowing Binge Continues
President Trump’s promises to restore fiscal order and reduce the amount of America’s debt burden have been undercut by spending on the Iran war, tax cuts and tariff refunds.
042
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The politics of this tax are mystifying. Why object to increasing taxes on the transfer of intergenerational wealth if only the richest 4 in 1000 pay? Returning to 2009 policy & ending loopholes should be a no-brainer. And yet. @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/who-w...
taxpolicycenter.org
Who Would Be Affected By A Decrease In The Estate Tax Exemption?
Estate taxes are one segment of the federal tax code that can tax wealth, yet they used to be much stronger. TPC simulated the effects of different exemption levels to find out how the would affect cu...
5123
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
While the parade of news may desensitize readers, the human cost (and moral bankruptcy) of Trump immigration policies is enormous. Many do not have the legal assistance/connections that benefit the woman in this example, who says "I never thought that it was so easy to take freedom from anyone".
1105
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
In which I take my gloves off (see end of piece). Trump Is Trapped in a Maelstrom of His Own Making www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Is Trapped in a Maelstrom of His Own Making
The president’s zero-sum mind-set is turning us all into losers.
0105
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
(1/2) This US ambassador to the EU is deeply confused. The EU cbam applies EU carbon policy evenly to domestic and foreign goods alike; it is not discriminatory. In contrast, US tariffs are just that, protectionism. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Europe’s carbon mechanism is a tariff by another name
The EU has denounced US duties while imposing its own protectionist measures dressed up as climate policy
1184
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Out today: part 2 of my blog with Maurice Obstfeld on why so-called "optimal" tariffs are not optimal. Within, we discuss the latest research on tariff incidence, and what we've learned from the Trump tariffs so far...
0136
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Douglas Irwin @douglasirwin.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
They always say their tariff worked
07614
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
(1/2) My new blog out today with Maurice Obstfeld. We discuss why so-called "optimal tariffs" are far from optimal. In part 1 today, we show problems with the textbook argument, and note that other tax instruments are superior for the underlying aims.
1123
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Peterson Institute for International Economics @piie.com · 27/07/2026
Trump's Section 301 tariffs reach beyond the statute’s intention @kclausing.bsky.social says, & the focus on forced labor “is a mere pretext for recreating the IEEPA tariff regime.” There's “no evidence linking this sort of trade measure to the supposed policy goal” of cracking down on forced labor.
cnbc.com
Trump sued hours after new tariffs take effect, as experts say they may not hold up
President Donald Trump has renewed a flurry of tariffs, including slapping 25% duties on Brazilian imports and vowing 50% tariffs on goods from Canada.
1137
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
under the cloak of boring technical guidance, the Trump administration is working to delete the existence of millions of immigrants, steal congressional seats and redirect potentially hundreds of billions of federal dollars www.thebulwark.com/p/inside-tru...
thebulwark.com
Inside Trump’s Stealth Trick to Rig the Census—and Congress
The administration’s latest power grab is disguised as boring technical guidance.
9274127
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Let's be clear. Trump's new tariffs merely recreate his unlawful IEEPA tariffs, and they are also unlawful. But it will take the courts a long time to establish this, if they do. In the meantime, US consumers and businesses will pay the price. www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
piie.com
Trump's new tariffs over forced labor are unlikely to survive a court challenge
The Trump administration is again shifting its stated rationale for placing comprehensive tariffs on imports of nearly all goods from virtually all countries. After originally presenting such measures...
01310
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Cool cool cool I see Trump is now actually employing Smoot-Hawley. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/b...
nytimes.com
Trump to Impose 50% Tariff on Many Canadian Goods
The administration will use an untested legal provision to put significant duties on Canadian exports, reigniting a clash with one of America’s biggest trading partners.
98219
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 18/07/2026
Yesterday the US Administration supercharged its explicit effort to bar international students from staying in the US after graduation. All Americans should know: 1/3 of *all* STEM PhDs working in the US are immigrants who graduated from US universities, then stayed. www.piie.com/index%2Ephp/...
1232129
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Aaron Sojourner @aaronsojourner.org · 22/01/2026
ICE is in fact the worst of the worst
8896242
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Catherine Wolfram @cwolfram.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
🔥 Here in Boston, like elsewhere, we're seeing air pollution from Canadian wildfires — the odd-colored sun, the haze, and the real health risks that come with it. This has real costs. @kclausing.bsky.social, @knittelmit.bsky.social and I tallied ways that U.S. hhs have experienced climate change.
12613
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
John Bistline @bistline.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
To estimate whether data centers raise electricity bills, you need to solve a classic econometric problem: data centers pick low-price locations, which makes them look good. Our solution involves Dwight Eisenhower. New working paper with @asawatten.bsky.social and Geoff Blanford 🧵
183
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🧵(1/12) On Tuesday, @hamiltonproject.org released my proposal on reforming US international tax. I suggest raising corporate rates for the biggest profit taxpayers, and strengthening US international tax rules to better align with the large potential of international efforts.
hamiltonproject.org
The future of US international corporate tax reform - The Hamilton Project
Kimberly Clausing proposes to strengthen and reform U.S. corporate taxation while better aligning U.S. corporate tax policy efforts with the potential of international collective action.
1107
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
The Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 18/06/2026
@kclausing.bsky.social proposes a package of corporate tax reforms that would strengthen U.S. corporate taxation while better aligning U.S. corporate tax policy efforts with the large potential of international collective action.
hamiltonproject.org
The future of US international corporate tax reform - The Hamilton Project
Kimberly Clausing proposes to strengthen and reform U.S. corporate taxation while better aligning U.S. corporate tax policy efforts with the potential of international collective action.
042
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
The Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 15/06/2026
TOMORROW at 3 PM ET: @hamiltonproject.org, @taxlawcenter.org, and @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social are hosting an event on business tax reform. www.hamiltonproject.org/event/taking...
123
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
The Hamilton Project @hamiltonproject.org · 09/06/2026
Next week, we’ll be getting down to business (taxation) with @avivaaron-dine.bsky.social, @kclausing.bsky.social, @richardrubindc.bsky.social, and more. Join us on 6/16 @ 3 p.m. ET: www.hamiltonproject.org/event/taking...
021
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
(1/2) Looking forward to talking tax @hamiltonproject.org in one week, on June 16! At the event, the conversation will focus on three new business tax proposals, including my own proposal, a DBCFT proposal, and a pass-through reform. www.hamiltonproject.org/event/taking...
hamiltonproject.org
Taking on tax: The future of corporate taxation - The Hamilton Project
On June 16, The Hamilton Project, the Tax Law Center at NYU Law, and the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center will host an event on business tax reform.
151
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 15/05/2026
MIT has lost 500 international grad students relative to last year. Caused directly by the White House. Closing America's doors to the very best, most brilliant people on the planet is like dropping a bomb directly on America's capacity to innovate. On the prosperity of our children's future.
youtube.com
A message from MIT President Sally Kornbluth
YouTube video by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
1318138
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
More good news for the rule of law (re. tariffs). So happy to join the efforts of @stanveuger.bsky.social on the amicus brief.
1212
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research @mitceepr.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is already imposing substantial and uneven costs on U.S. households. This paper by @kclausing.bsky.social, @knittelmit.bsky.social and @cwolfram.bsky.social seeks to quantify these costs across multiple channels, check it out here: ceepr.link/4cWpkCV
163
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Huge congrats to @justinwolfers.bsky.social on his new project; this @nytimes.com piece has a good introduction. This effort will expand his reach in teaching the world economics. I wish him every success.
070
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
(1/6) 🧵 My new working paper is out today @piie.com, comparing three global collective action problems that occupy my recent scholarly work: international tax, climate, and world trade. I look at both the nature of these problems, and lessons for progress in times ahead.
2114
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Stan Veuger @stanveuger.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Simon Johnson and I have a new article out at @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, explaining why Section 122 does not authorize the administration's latest round of worldwide tariffs. thedispatch.com/article/trum...
077
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Terrific piece from my coauthor Maury Obstfeld, examining the claim that dollar centrality lies at the heart of US current account deficits. My favorite line: "That this proposition is wrong has not prevented its confident assertion." (Applies to so much these days.) www.piie.com/blogs/realti...
piie.com
Don't blame America's current account deficit on the dollar
The Trump administration and China's leaders generally differ on economic policy, but on one proposition some prominent members of their economic teams seem to agree: The dollar's status as the world'...
1102
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Thanks to @stanveuger.bsky.social for his work on this important effort.
042
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Jason Furman @jasonfurman.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Huge congratulations to @ludwigstraub.bsky.social for winning the Clark Medal. He is not only brilliant and original, he is also at a commensurate level in kindness and humility.
2243
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Brendan Duke @brendanvduke.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Last week, I outlined questions I would be looking to have answered when the President’s budget is released. Now that we have the full proposal, we can now answer them. Hint: It fails to offer affordability solutions to make life more affordable while raising the risk of hasty, harmful cuts. 🧵
21810
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Here is my thread on Trump's budget request, which I'll update throughout the day. He calls to cut domestic discretionary funding to the lowest level in the modern era. Trump's budget reimagines Americans' relationship with our govt, and proposes a country that does less to help people get by.
NDD less VA medical, 1986-present. roughly flat-ish until 2020 around 3%, and then down down down down to 2% last year. And then Trump is proposing taking it down to 1.7%.
58946494
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Trade Talks Podcast @trade--talks.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Has it only been one year??? (Also, hi. Trade Talks is back)
tradetalkspodcast.com
208. It's been one year since Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs
Aime Williams joins to help explain what has happened since President Trump’s sweeping April 2, 2025 tariff announcement.
23311
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Nick Timiraos @nicktimiraos.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
The Fed won a sweeping court victory Friday. But the fact that it needed one tells you everything about how much has changed. The unsealed filings are something else—the Fed catalogued 100 Trump attacks on Powell. Fed independence used to be protected by norms. Now it’s depending on judges.
wsj.com
The Court Ruling in the Fed Chair’s Favor Is a Double-Edged Sword
The decision was good news for Jerome Powell, but it shows that Fed independence now depends on judges.
417948
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
(1/2) Your daily reminder that Congress has the power of the purse. They control these delegations of authority, and they have the ability to curb/end them. SCOTUS has done their job standing up for separation of powers. It's time for Congress to do theirs. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/b...
nytimes.com
U.S. Accuses 16 Trading Partners of Unfair Practices and Opens Investigation
1113
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Corruption and influence-peddling have long been major problems with tariffs, and they may also help explain why Trump so loves them: gathering in his hands total ongoing discretion over every tariff gives pretty much every important business and nation a strong ongoing reason to court his favor.
1218
Reposted by Kimberly Clausing
New York Times Opinion @nytopinion.nytimes.com · 02/03/2026
"Until Congress reasserts its constitutional authority over tariffs and other policy matters, the institutional decline and corruption enabled by Mr. Trump’s agenda will continue," write Shane Ball and Kimberly Clausing.
nyti.ms
Opinion | Trump’s New Tariffs Invite Corruption
The president still has a lot of leeway to impose tariffs. That’s an invitation for businesses to curry favor with him.
084
Kimberly Clausing @kclausing.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Today w/ @shaneball.bsky.social in @nytimes.com. I used to think the Trump tariffs were about not understanding economics. Then that they were about disguising a shift in tax burdens. Those may both be true; yet the dominant aim may well be power/corruption. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Big Problem With Tariffs Isn’t the Rates. It’s the Corruption.
0141