The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series While I Was Gone, Part 1: Trade Policy Updates || Peter Zeihan
Sep 10, 2025
Recent court rulings have deemed most of Trump's tariffs illegal, sparking discussion about the need for congressional authority in trade emergencies. The implications for corporate America and manufacturing are significant, with businesses grappling to adapt to an uncertain trade landscape. Concerns arise over potential deindustrialization as companies navigate these changes and seek stability in their operations.
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Return From Yosemite Framing The Issue
- Peter Zeihan opens the episode noting he returned from backpacking in Yosemite and found major geopolitical shifts while he was away.
- He frames the developments as a 'frog in a boiling pot' situation where problems have been gradually worsening.
Court Rejects Broad Presidential Tariff Power
- A federal appeals court found most of Trump's recent tariffs unlawful because the president overstepped statutory authority granted by Congress.
- This ruling undermines the core of Trump's trade policy and pushes the issue likely to the Supreme Court later in the year.
Tariffs Mask Lack Of Trade Infrastructure
- The president relied on expanded executive tariff authority that Congress never fully granted, leaving policy vulnerable when courts enforce statutory limits.
- Without tariffs, the administration lacks a staffed trade apparatus to pivot to traditional negotiated trade tools.