Helena Kopans-Johnson

CFR Staff

Helena Kopans-Johnson

Research Associate, Trade Policy

Helena Kopans-Johnson is a research associate for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She holds a BA in government from Colby College.

Trade

Trade Tools for Climate Action: Green Goods

Global trade in green goods is booming—reaching $1.9 trillion in 2022, a $100 billion increase from 2021. The World Trade Organization (WTO) estimates that trade in a list of select environmental pro…

by Jennifer Hillman, Helena Kopans-Johnson and Inu Manak April 6, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
RealEcon

Repealing the IRA Has Trade-offs, Tweaking It Has Advantages

With over a third of the Inflation Reduction Act’s funding set to expire by the end of Donald Trump’s next term, Congress should prioritize the legislation’s most impactful initiatives: manufacturing and energy security.

by Helena Kopans-Johnson and Sophia Vaccaro December 16, 2024 RealEcon
RealEcon

The Price of What You Buy Online Is About to Go Up

Bipartisan support is growing to overhaul the de minimis rule, which exempts inexpensive imports from tariffs. However, Congress risks harming trade relations and spiking inflation if it isn't careful.

by Inu Manak and Helena Kopans-Johnson November 25, 2024 RealEcon
United States

In Green Steel Discussions, the United States Is Playing Dirty

The European Union should rebuff the Joe Biden administration’s protectionist boondoggle and refocus on genuine climate goals.

by Inu Manak and Helena Kopans-Johnson November 8, 2023 Renewing America
Inu Manak

Trade

US standing in the way of CBAM, think tank says

Featuring Inu Manak and Helena Kopans-Johnson via Recycling Today November 9, 2023
Trade

The Progressive Case for Globalization

with Inu Manak and Helena Kopans-Johnson via Cato Institute May 30, 2024
Trade

Tariffs on Trading Partners: Can the President Actually Do That?

Though Congress holds power over regulating commerce with foreign nations, it has incrementally delegated significant authority to the president, giving him broad discretion to take trade actions.

Report by Inu Manak and Helena Kopans-Johnson February 4, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Refugees and Displaced Persons

How Does the U.S. Refugee System Work?

The United States has long been considered a safe haven for refugees from around the world, but this could change following the Trump administration’s decision to suspend the country’s decades-old refugee resettlement program.

by Diana Roy, Claire Klobucista and James McBride May 16, 2025

United States

The U.S. Trade Deficit: How Much Does It Matter?

President Trump has made reducing U.S. trade deficits a priority, but economists disagree over how much they matter and what to do about them.

by CFR.org Editors April 23, 2025 Renewing America

Trade

The Contentious U.S.-China Trade Relationship

President Donald Trump’s trade war with China that began in his first administration has snowballed into greater tensions between the world’s biggest economies, but experts say completely decoupling from one another is likely impossible.

by CFR.org Editors April 14, 2025

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