Squawk Pod ‘Chaotic’ Policy: Janet Yellen & Lina Khan on Tariffs 4/14/25
Apr 14, 2025
Janet Yellen, the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, shares her thoughts on the chaotic tariff policies under the Trump administration and their impact on the economy. Lina Khan, former FTC Chair, brings her expertise on antitrust, discussing the legal challenges facing Meta over its acquisitions. Both guests emphasize the unpredictable nature of current tariffs and their implications for tech industries and international relations, even drawing parallels between market chaos and sports emotional journeys.
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Laptop Shopping and Tariffs
- Andrew Ross Sorkin's son wants a new laptop due to potential tariff-driven price increases.
- Sorkin uses this as a teaching moment, offering to cover the increased cost.
Market Reaction to Tariff Confusion
- The U.S. stock market's positive movement suggests investors believe the tariffs on Chinese goods like chips and phones will remain at 20%.
- However, there's confusion about whether these are real exemptions or if they'll be subject to different tariffs later.
Impact of Tech Exemptions on Other Industries
- If the U.S. exempts tech products from tariffs, it primarily targets industries like apparel manufacturing.
- Bringing those back to the U.S. could be economically disruptive.