Slate Money That Wack-Ass Tariff Formula
69 snips
Apr 5, 2025 
Mark Joseph Stern, a Slate writer specializing in legal issues, joins to dissect Trump's controversial tariffs and their dubious calculations. The discussion highlights the troubling implications of these tariffs on the legal system and the economy. They analyze the surprising decline of the U.S. dollar following the tariff announcement and the complexities it introduces to global trade dynamics. The conversation also humorously touches on inflation and whimsical scenarios involving penguins, blending serious analysis with light-hearted commentary.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump's Tariff Announcement
- Trump announced tariffs on many countries, including some obscure ones.
- The tariffs were based on a questionable formula related to trade deficits, not actual tariff rates.
Trump's Tariff Approach
- Trump's approach to tariffs resembles real estate deals, viewing them as one-off transactions.
- This undermines trust with trading partners due to the lack of consistent, reliable negotiation.
Impact of Tariffs on Globalization
- Globalization created jobs overseas, improving the standard of living in developing countries.
- Tariffs threaten these gains, as highlighted by a Cambodian factory worker's plea on the BBC.