The Wright Show How Trump's tariffs could reshape the world (Connor Echols & Karthik Sankaran)
Apr 4, 2025
Karthik Sankaran, a Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute focusing on geoeconomics, shares insightful critiques of Trump's tariff policies. He discusses how tariffs are justified under the guise of national security but might hinder development in poorer nations. The conversation highlights the factions influencing U.S. trade policy and questions if Trump's approach deflects blame for America’s issues onto foreign countries. The implications for manufacturing hubs like Vietnam and the shift in China’s economy are also pivotal topics.
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Pro-Tariff Arguments
- Pro-tariff arguments include national security, job creation, and leverage.
- These arguments address vulnerabilities from globalization and aim to incentivize domestic production.
Factions in US Trade Policy
- Four factions shape US trade policy: openers, decouplers, repatriationists, and derailers.
- Each faction has different goals, from opening markets to derailing China's economic rise.
Critique of Tariffs
- Karthik Sankaran critiques tariffs, citing potential negative impacts on the US economy and global south.
- Reshoring takes time, disrupts supply chains, and may hinder business investment.