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American Prestige

Bonus - Trump, Xi Jinping, and Tariffs w/ Andy Liu (Preview)

Apr 6, 2025
In this discussion, Andy Liu, a history professor at Villanova and author of 'T-War,' dives into the intricate trade dynamics between the U.S. and China, influenced heavily by Trump and Xi Jinping. They analyze Trump's historical dealings with Japan in the 80s, shedding light on how these experiences shaped his current tariff strategies. The conversation also unpacks Xi's rise from a privileged background during Deng Xiaoping's reforms. Liu highlights the shift in China's economy towards high-end products and critiques the current U.S. administration's communication with Beijing.
09:59

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Trump's trade policy origin traces back to his views on Japan in the 1980s, reflecting deep-rooted protectionist sentiments.
  • Xi Jinping's efforts to elevate China's global economic standing are contrasted with Trump's historical fears of foreign competition.

Deep dives

Trump's Tariff Ideology Rooted in Japan's Economic Rise

Donald Trump's understanding of tariffs and trade policy can be traced back to his perceptions of Japan during the 1980s. As Japan experienced significant economic growth, overshadowing American industries, Trump articulated his frustrations through media appearances, highlighting fears of 'losing' to Japanese manufacturers. This period laid the groundwork for his worldview, wherein tariffs were seen as a necessary tool to protect American jobs and industries from foreign competition. The narrative of Japan as a formidable competitor from which the U.S. needed protection resonates in Trump's more recent speeches concerning China and other trade relationships.

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