Edward Alden: Trump’s Trade and Tariff Negotiations

In this episode, Stan hosts Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an expert on trade and trade policy. The discussion dives deep into President Trump's approach to tariffs and trade, examining the strategic rationale, economic impact, and international relations fallout.They discuss the historical context of the global trade order, the complexities of modern economic policies, and the potential long-term consequences for the U.S. economy and its global alliances. Through a critical lens, Alden and Stan explore whether Trump's tariff strategies are beneficial or detrimental, touching on specific examples like China's role and the contentious nature of the administration's negotiation tactics.

00:00 Introduction to Tariffs and Trade Policy

00:37 Meet Ed Alden: Trade Policy Expert

01:18 Trump's Trade War: An Overview01:49 Historical Context of Global Trade

03:33 Trump's Trade Philosophy and Goals

05:40 Impact of Tariffs on the Economy

07:24 Trump's Personal Involvement in Trade Negotiations

08:27 Market Reactions and Economic Predictions

14:27 Transactional Trade Deals vs. Strategic Agreements

19:53 Challenges and Future of US Trade Policy

25:16 Discussing Trump's Simplistic Approach to Complex Problems

25:23 The Elephant in the Room: US-China Trade Relations

25:30 Trump's Strategy: Building a Wall Around China?

26:32 Biden's Coordinated Approach vs. Trump's Unilateral Actions

28:30 The Consequences of Alienating Allies

30:38 China's Strategic Win Amidst US Trade Policies

32:46 China's Subtle Violations of Trade Rules

36:04 The Rare Earth Minerals Negotiation

38:30 Taiwan and Semiconductors: A Parallel Issue

41:13 Congress's Abdication of Trade Authority

44:27 The Historical Context of Tariffs

50:24 Advising Trump on a Strategic Trade Approach