Maximilian Hippold

CFR Staff

Maximilian Hippold

Research Associate, International Economics

Maximilian Hippold is a research associate at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Before joining CFR, he worked as a pre-doctoral research professional at the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago. Maximilian holds a bachelor's degree in economics from LMU Munich and a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

United States

The U.S. Economy Is Growing, but Faces Much Uncertainty

A quarterly review finds that the U.S. economy’s increasingly K-shaped nature is making American consumption patterns uneven and unpredictable. Despite continued growth, this and several other data points suggest a precarious economic situation could soon emerge.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold December 2, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
United States

Divided Fed Reaches Consensus on Risk Management Cut

The Fed reached consensus on its interest rate decision, with only Trump’s latest appointee dissenting. Opinions about future cuts diverge, however.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold September 19, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
Climate Realism

Trump’s Energy Innovation Retreat Is a Win for China, Loss for Climate

The United States is pulling back from large-scale demonstration projects for emerging energy technologies, even as China steps up.

by David M. Hart and Maximilian Hippold September 8, 2025 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
United States

The Fed Is in Uncharted Waters Ahead of Key September Rate Decision

President Trump’s push to oust a Federal Reserve governor risks undermining a cornerstone of U.S. economic stability ahead of a critical interest rate decision in September.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold August 27, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
United States

The Importance of Fed Independence

Speculation has mounted that Trump could force Fed Chair Jerome Powell from his position, but the independence of the Federal Reserve Board should be preserved to maintain U.S. economic leadership.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold August 7, 2025 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies
Climate Realism

The Global Clean Energy Technology Demonstration Challenge: An Update

Three years after a $94 billion pledge, uneven progress and poor transparency hinder global clean energy demonstrations aimed at net-zero by 2050.

by David M. Hart and Maximilian Hippold August 7, 2025 Climate Realism
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI in the Federal Government: A Fragmented Reality

Despite bipartisan presidential directives and significant investment, federal AI use remains limited by siloed agency adoption. To realize the potential of AI, the federal government requires a more agile and comprehensive AI strategy.

by Maximilian Hippold and Sebastian Elbaum August 5, 2025 Net Politics
RealEcon

An Alternative Tariff Strategy for the Trump Administration

As the tariff pause ends, the Trump administration should pivot to a more targeted and strategic policy that minimizes domestic harm.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold July 23, 2025 RealEcon
RealEcon

Learning From Past U.S. Infrastructure Investments

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and the CHIPS and Science Act stand to transform U.S. infrastructure for decades to come. Policymakers should look to the successes and failures of the 1956 act that established the interstate system for guidance.

by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold October 18, 2024 RealEcon
RealEcon

The Case for Reglobalization

with Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold via Foreign Affairs January 30, 2025

Iran

The Islamic Republic’s Power Centers

Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

by CFR Editors January 9, 2026

Climate Change

Paris to Kyoto: The History of UN Climate Agreements

International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say countries aren’t doing enough to limit dangerous global warming.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong January 9, 2026 Renewing America

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Freedoms: What China Promised and How It’s Cracking Down

Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in recent years, dimming hopes that the financial center will ever become a full democracy.

by Lindsay Maizland and Clara Fong December 15, 2025

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