David Kleimann
David Kleimann (PhD) is a former Visiting fellow at Bruegel. He is a trade expert with 15 years of experience in law, policy, and institutions governing EU and international trade. His current work focuses on the climate and trade policy nexus as well as legal and diplomatic challenges arising from transatlantic and international climate and trade cooperation. His research has appeared in various internationally renowned journals and a monograph published by Cambridge University Press (CUP). His comments on trade law and policy issues have featured, amongst others, in the New York Times, Economist, Financial Times, Handelsblatt, Telegraph, Politico Magazine, The Hill, and Caijing Magazine. In the past, David has provided consultancy to the World Bank's international trade department, the European Commission, and the PRC's Ministry of Commerce. Moreover, he has been a trade policy advisor to the Chairman of the European Parliament's international trade committee, Bernd Lange.
David earned his PhD in Law from the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, where he defended his thesis on ‘The Transformation of EU External Economic Governance’. He conducted postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins' School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Georgetown University's Institute for International Economic Law. He holds a 1st of class Masters degree in International Law and Economics (MILE) from the World Trade Institute (WTI) in Berne, Switzerland, an LL.M in International Law (with distinction) from Kent Law School in Brussels, Belgium, and a BA in Staatswissenschaften (Public Administration) from Erfurt University. In the early days of his professional career, David completed traineeships at the European Commission's Directorate General for External Trade and the World Trade Organization's Agriculture Division.
Featured work
Industrial Policy, Green Subsidies, and the WTO
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: What is the impact on developing countries?
How will the EU support developing countries in mitigating carbon emissions in their industries as a result of the CBAM Regulation.
Transatlantic Climate and Trade Cooperation after the EU-US Summit
What should be expected from ongoing negotiations on the so-called Global Steel and Aluminium Arrangement and the forthcoming TTC meeting?
American ‘green’ protectionism, industrial decarbonsiation, and transatlantic steel and aluminium negotiations – a response to Todd N. Tucker and Timothy Meyer
Green tech race? The US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU Net Zero Industry Act in The World Economy
Where do transatlantic negotiations on US Section 232 steel and aluminium tariffs stand?
Section 232 reloaded: the false promise of the transatlantic ‘climate club’ for steel and aluminium
This paper sets out the EU and US perspectives on the ongoing negotiations and evaluates their initial negotiation proposals.
Between a rock and a hard place: the EU response to national import bans on Ukrainian grain
The European Commission had to choose between imperfect alternatives because of frontline state backlash against massive Ukrainian grain imports.
How Europe should answer the US Inflation Reduction Act
This policy brief explains what is in the IRA, the impact on the EU and other economies, and how the EU should react.
Climate versus trade? Reconciling international subsidy rules with industrial decarbonisation
Environmental subsidies could be justified when emissions taxation is not feasible or is insufficient due to political economy constraints.
Carbon Club versus Climate Alliance: Which way forward for multilateral climate and trade governance?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the respective proposals?
Scoping the challenges for transatlantic climate and trade cooperation
What is the scope for transatlantic cooperation on CBAM legislation, Climate Clubs, and 'green' subsidies?
Food security: the role and limits of international rules on export restrictions
Unblocking Ukrainian ports and facilitating wheat exports through large-scale international coordination remains essential.
How a European Union tariff on Russian oil can be designed
The European Union should apply a tariff on imports of Russian oil; it can be accompanied by a quota for a gradual, conditional phase-out.