Trade Wars, Economic Chaos, and Law: Unpacking Trump's Trade Tactics with Alan Sykes

Joining Pam for this week's episode is Stanford Law Professor Alan Sykes, a leading expert on the application of economics to legal problems whose most recent scholarship is focused on international economic relations. In short, he is an international trade and law expert—and the right person to help us understand today's chaos. The discussion covers the credibility of the United States in international trade negotiations, the feasibility of renegotiating trade deals with multiple countries within a short timeframe, and the unconventional methods employed by the Trump administration. Sykes also highlights the importance of previously negotiated deals and the World Trade Organization—and how the Trump administration has sidelined the organization. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the legal and economic dimensions of Trump's tariffs, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern trade policies.

Links:

• Alan O. Sykes  >>> Stanford Law page
• The Law and Economics of International Trade Agreements >>> Stanford Law page

Connect:

• Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast Website
• Stanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn Page
• Rich Ford >>>  Twitter/X
• Pam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School Page
• Stanford Law School >>> Twitter/X
• Stanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X
   

(00:00:00) Introduction and Overview of Trump's Tariffs

(00:04:05) Impact on Imported Goods and Consumers

(00:04:34) Exemptions and Intermediate Goods

(00:05:14) Historical Context of U.S. Tariffs

(00:24:38) Credibility of the United States and the 90-Day Pause