Bulwark Takes Trump's Malignant Stupidity Could Screw Us All (w/ Paul Krugman) | WTF 2.0
Apr 15, 2025
Paul Krugman, a renowned economist and columnist, joins the conversation to dissect Trump’s chaotic tariff policies and their self-inflicted economic crises. He elaborates on how these unpredictable decisions create havoc in global trade and threaten business confidence. The dialogue shifts to the bond market’s peculiarities, recession risks, and the fragility of the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. Finally, Krugman highlights the alarming rise of authoritarianism in America, scrutinizing the implications for civil liberties and democratic processes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Chaos in Trade Undermines Stability
- The US built a stable international trade system that balanced special interests and promoted peace and prosperity.
- Trump's tariff chaos destroys this stability, causing uncertainty that severely harms economic planning and trade.
Tariff Chaos Hits Manufacturing
- Modern manufacturing relies on complex global supply chains with components crossing borders.
- Tariff uncertainty on inputs and goods makes factory investments risky and supply chains hesitant.
Businesses Freeze Amid Uncertainty
- Economic actors and businesses are alarmed and freezing deals amid tariff confusion.
- Surveys show business grinding to a halt because nobody knows the trade rules.