The U.S. auto industry faces big roadblocks and opportunities: forecasting consumer demand, Chinese competition and subsidized oversupply, infrastructure hurdles, supply chain vulnerabilities, and a changing policy landscape. In this Energy Policy Seminar, Christopher Smith, Ford's Chief Government Affairs Officer, will explore the policy choices the United States can make to strengthen its domestic auto industry - as well as the policies that would hobble it. Q&A to follow. Buffet-style lunch will be served.
Registration: RSVP required. A Harvard University ID is required for in-person attendance; all are welcome to attend via Zoom.
Recording: The seminar will be recorded and available to watch on the Belfer Center's YouTube channel.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or who have questions about access, please contact Liz Hanlon (ehanlon@hks.harvard.edu) in advance of the session.
Co-sponsors: Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability
This seminar is part of Harvard Climate Action Week 2025 (September 15–21), a series of events that will convene our world-class faculty and leaders in business, government, and civil society. The week will culminate in the Salata Institute’s Harvard Climate Symposium: Pathways for Progress on Energy and Climate on September 19-21. Learn more: https://salatainstitute.harvard.edu/hcaw/
About the Speaker
Christopher Smith was named Ford’s chief government affairs officer in March 2022. He leads a global team that promotes legislation, regulations and policies with governments around the world to advance the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. Policy priorities include areas such as connectivity, critical minerals, electric vehicles and digital services, and are intended to benefit customers, society and the environment, among other stakeholders.
Prior to Ford, Smith was senior vice president of Policy, Government and Public Affairs at Cheniere Energy, the world’s second-largest liquefied natural gas operator. In that role, Smith led the incorporation of climate principles into Cheniere’s business model and helped modernize related federal regulations. Smith served in the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama Administration as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. Earlier in his career, Smith held managerial and analytical positions at Chevron, Citibank and JPMorgan.
Smith began his career as an officer in the United States Army after earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering management and mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and a degree in applied mathematics from American Public University.
