Robert D. Atkinson

The proposed rule, while written to suggest that it will enable rail innovation and the operation of less-than-two-person crews, will in fact likely stifle continued rail innovation and limit any expansion of one-person crews and the economic productivity that generates.

The information technology (IT) sector makes an outsized contribution to the U.S. economy as a leading exporter that creates high-paying jobs, including for non-college-educated workers, while producing highly innovative products and services that drive broad-based growth, counteract inflation, and improve people’s quality of life.

Catherine Rampell’s recent Washington Post column parrots conventional “inside the beltway” wisdom about U.S. manufacturing but demonstrates that pundits often don’t understand real economics.

A strong dollar makes U.S. imports to Korea more expensive and Korean exports to the United States less expensive, which is great for American consumers but bad for American workers, and vice versa for Korea.

There are techniques in place to thoroughly think through how technology will get adopted, what their implications will be, how they will spur growth, and how they will create new industries.

Robust intellectual property rights provide the incentives necessary to drive innovation by allowing markets to form for tangible and intangible assets. Without them, incentives get distorted and innovation slows.

The CHIPS and Science Act provides critical support for semiconductor firms and boosts science funding significantly, especially for key technologies for U.S. competitiveness. But there are important questions about both the legislation and the overall direction of U.S. industrial policy.

When it comes to advanced industry competitiveness, Canada is unlikely anytime to be the Maple Leafs of the global economy. But with the right policies, it can at least move up the standings.

Ensuring that the open, voluntary and industry-driven standards process prevails over China’s “standards mercantilism” will require action along a number of fronts, including providing financial support for companies to participate in the international standards process.

Rob and Jackie sat down with Joe Allen, who served as a professional staffer on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to former Senator Birch Bayh, to discuss the importance of the Bayh-Dole Act and the future of life sciences innovation.

If a country is running a deficit, the value of its currency should fall to make imports more expensive and exports cheaper. Conversely, if a country is running a trade surplus, the currency should rise in value.

The United States has consistently ranked near the top of international competitiveness rankings. But these reports are largely meaningless in measuring actual international competitiveness, providing policymakers a false sense of optimism about America’s position.

Robert Atkinson participates in an expert panel discussion on “The Politicization of Business: What Gives” as part of a Cato conference—“New Challenges to the Free Economy (from Left and Right)”—that brings together leading economists and policymakers to discuss the ascendant political threats of progressivism and national conservatism to the free economy.

Robert Atkinson spoke at signature Protocol Live event, “The State of Innovation,” which was held virtually on September 27th.

Rob Atkinson spoke on an expert panel hosted by the Washington International Trade Association. Topics included what the Chips and Science Act means for the U.S. jobs, exports, and international trade policy, and how these bills position the U.S. relative to China and in relation to its allies and partners.

Watch ITIF and an expert panel featuring key policymakers and leading analysts who discussed how to bring House and Senate versions of competitiveness legislation across the finish line in a form that will be a winner for U.S. workers and the economy.

Join ITIF for a discussion on the accuracy of the narrative put forward and whether or not market concentration has, indeed, increased with ITIF's Julie Carlson & Robert D. Atkinson, Nicholas Trachter of the Federal Reserve of Richmond, & former DOJ official, Gregory Werden.

ITIF hosted a discussion of what a robust national strategic-industry policy should—and should not—entail.

Rob Atkinson was the keynote speaker at the Ministries of Korea Global Policy Conference on the 4th Industrial Revolution on December 15th, 2021.

The GTIPA’s annual summits bring together alliance members with world-leading experts to explore creative solutions to the difficult economic, trade, and innovation challenges facing the international community.

ITIF hosted an expert panel discussion on postal reform legislation, and how to ensure the continued viability of USPS as a deliverer of both mail and packages.

Rob Atkinson was a guest on "The Creative Life" by ThinkTech Hawaii to discuss promoting policies in innovation economics, and described how to close the divide through creative self-sustaining growth centers.

ITIF hosted an in-depth discussion with members of the Biden Administration about the report, implications for policy, and potential next steps.

Watch the launch of ITIF's Schumpeter Project on Competition Policy in the Innovation Economy. An expert panel will respond to the presentation of an important new ITIF report outlining a set of guiding principles for “dynamic antitrust.”