Organized Money Is There Even a Trade War?
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Aug 12, 2025 Lori Wallach, Director of Rethink Trade at the American Economic Liberties Project, shares her vast expertise in trade, cultivated since the NAFTA era. She unpacks the chaotic tariff landscape shaped by Trump's administration, illustrating how erratic policies confuse businesses and manipulate corporate interests. Key discussions include legal constraints on presidential tariff powers, the distortions in market reactions to trade news, and the real economic impact on American workers versus big tech. Lori advocates for clearer, more equitable trade practices.
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Tariff Announcements Are Arbitrary
- David Dayen says Trump repeatedly announces then retracts tariffs, creating chaos.
- That unpredictability makes it impossible to plan for businesses or policy.
Tariff Costs Often Hit Foreign Sellers
- Lori Wallach explains exporters often absorb tariffs to keep U.S. market access.
- That dynamic limited consumer price impacts during early tariff rounds.
Pair Tariffs With Industrial Policy
- Use tariffs defensively against unfair imports while pairing them with procurement, taxes, and training.
- Combine protection with incentives so domestic production can scale without being smothered.