On Tuesday, Kim Ruhl, the Curt and Sue Culver Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was named a member of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). This council, established by Congress in 1946, consists of three economists tasked with advising the President of the United States on economic policies, leveraging data, research, and evidence.
Ruhl, who also serves as co-director of The Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy (CROWE), marks the first time a UW-Madison economist has been appointed to this prestigious role. His expertise lies in international economics, with notable research on firm heterogeneity, trade policy dynamics, and tariffs.
“It is a real honor to be appointed as a member of CEA,” said Ruhl. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to apply my training and expertise as an economist to timely public policy issues and I am very much looking forward to serving my country and my president.”
President Donald Trump appointed Ruhl alongside Pierre Yared, Senior Vice Dean and MUTB Professor of International Business at Columbia Business School. They will join CEA Chairman Stephen Miran to form part of the president’s economic advisory team.
Eric Wilcots, Dean of the College of Letters & Science at UW-Madison, praised the appointment.
“Kim is a deeply insightful economist, and we are thrilled that he will be in a position to impact economic policy at a national level through his appointment to the Council,” said Wilcots. “We have truly appreciated his service as co-Director of CROWE; service that speaks to his commitment to translating research to practice and policy.”
During his tenure on the CEA, Ruhl will take a leave from his position at UW-Madison.
Ruhl is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and was a special sworn researcher at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, where he studied the ways that multinational firms produce and sell goods and services around the world.
Christopher Taber, Walker Family Distinguished Chair and chair of the Department of Economics at UW-Madison, lauded Ruhl’s selection.
“Kim Ruhl is one of the world’s preeminent trade economists and is an outstanding choice for the CEA,” said Taber. “He is gifted with the ability to navigate the gap between academic research and actual implementation of economic ideas, which will lead him to be effective at informing policy, based on evidence. This is truly the Wisconsin Idea in action.”
UW Professor Ananth Seshadri will assume the role of director at CROWE. The center focuses on promoting economic policy research from a market perspective, particularly in relation to Wisconsin’s economy and state-level economic issues.
Ruhl’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation.
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