The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim A conversation with historian Sir Niall Ferguson on Trump, tariffs and China
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Apr 9, 2025 
Sir Niall Ferguson, a renowned British-American historian and senior fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, shares his insights on current U.S. political dynamics. He discusses the phenomenon of 'buyer's remorse' with the Trump presidency and its implications. The conversation dives into U.S.-China tensions, especially regarding Taiwan and the significance of tariffs. Ferguson also draws parallels between Elon Musk's ambitions and historical figures like Napoleon, exploring their impact on global politics and market dynamics.
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Why Trump Won and Risks
- Americans voted for Trump mainly due to inflation and illegal immigration frustrations.
- Trump's rising tariffs will raise prices and potentially cause a recession, decreasing his popularity.
Culture Wars Influenced Election
- Culture war issues helped Trump win as most Americans oppose wokeism and related leftist policies.
- Foreign policy issues like Greenland or Gaza did not influence the election much and hurt Trump's popularity.
View Trump as Imperialist
- Understand Trump as an imperialist, not an isolationist, inspired by McKinley and Nixon.
- Watch for unintended consequences of protectionism and foreign policy that may undo his presidency.