Simon J. Evenett: The man who makes global trade understandable

“Globalization didn’t fail. We failed to understand how it was changing.”

When Simon J. Evenett speaks, you hear clarity, not alarmism. Context, not headlines. He is one of those economists who doesn’t explain what is happening – but why. And that is precisely what makes him one of the most sought-after thought leaders on global trade, geopolitics, and economic resilience.

An economist who looks – not away

Simon J. Evenett is Professor of International Economics at the IMD in Lausanne and founder of the world-renowned Global Trade Alert (GTA). His work begins where political narratives often end: with the data.

For years, he has been systematically analyzing government intervention in world trade, subsidies, tariffs, industrial policy and revealing how economic power is actually shifting.

“Trade policy today is no longer about tariffs alone. It’s about strategy, security, and state power,” says Evenett. A sentence that sums up his perspective.

Simon J. Evenett – From academic thinking to global voice

Evenett studied and taught at renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford, Columbia University and the University of Michigan. But what sets him apart from many academics is that he never remained in the ivory tower.

He advises international organizations, governments, central banks, and the boards of multinational corporations. His analyses inform decisions affecting supply chains, investments, and geopolitical strategies.

“If leaders don’t understand the structure of global trade, they will misjudge risk,” he regularly warns.

Global Trade Alert: Transparency in a fragmented world

With the founding of Global Trade Alert, Evenett created a tool that sets standards worldwide. GTA documents and evaluates government trade interventions in real time – independently, data-based, and internationally recognized.

What GTA shows is uncomfortable:

Global trade has not collapsed – it has become more political, selective, and strategic.

Evenett puts it this way: “We are not witnessing deglobalization. We are witnessing re-globalization on new terms.”

This perspective makes him an indispensable discussion partner for companies that need to reorient themselves in an increasingly fragmented world.

What makes him special as a speaker

Simon J. Evenett has a rare gift: he translates highly complex economic realities into understandable, strategically relevant insights – without simplifying them.

His lectures do not feel like economics lectures, but rather like precise status reports for decision-makers. Clearly structured, analytically sharp, free of ideology.

• His style? Calm. Precise. Convincing.
• His charm? Intellectual honesty.
• His superpower? Recognizing patterns before they become obvious.

Topics he speaks about – and that executives need to hear

In his keynotes, Simon J. Evenett covers topics such as:

• The future of global trade: Why trade wars are fought quietly, not loudly
• Industrial policy & subsidies: How states are reshaping markets
• Geopolitics & economics: Why economic decisions are increasingly security-related
• Supply chains & resilience: What companies should really learn from recent crises
• Europe, China, USA: Power shifts without headlines

He not only makes diagnoses, but also opens up options for action. “The worst strategy is assuming tomorrow will look like yesterday,” he says – and he means companies as well as countries.

A friend of uncomfortable truths

What makes Evenett particularly credible is that he also says things that people don’t always want to hear. He neither glosses over protectionist tendencies nor romanticizes earlier forms of globalization.

His attitude is sober, but not pessimistic. “The world economy is not broken. But it is being rewritten,” is one of his central ideas.

This honesty makes him a valued speaker in boardrooms, at economic summits, and at international conferences.

Why Simon J. Evenett belongs on stage

• Deep expertise in international economics and trade
• Global perspective beyond national narratives
• Data-driven clarity instead of opinion
• Relevance for business and politics alike
• Comprehensible complexity for decision-makers

He provides guidance in a world where economic decisions are becoming increasingly political.

Book Simon J. Evenett at Premium Speakers

When you book Simon J. Evenett, you’re not getting a classic keynote speaker on stage, you’re getting a strategic thinker who helps you understand global contexts and make smart decisions. His lectures leave no room for uncertainty, but rather a sense of clarity.

And that is precisely one of the most valuable resources today.

“Understanding global trade is no longer optional. It’s a leadership requirement.”

Book Simon J. Evenett as a keynote speaker at Premium Speakers: 1 (704) 804 1054 or simon.evenett@premium-speakers.com