Ian Vasquez

Ian Vasquez, Director of the Cato Institute Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, dives into the controversial tariff policies influenced by President Trump, drawing parallels with authoritarian regimes. He emphasizes the detrimental effects on the U.S. economy and global trade, explaining how these policies stifle true free trade. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining open markets for global prosperity and critiques the outdated fears surrounding foreign competition, using bananas as a metaphor for comparative advantage.

Ian Vasquez, lead author of the Human Freedom Index, discusses a decade of tracking global human freedom. He reveals troubling trends, including a significant decline in freedoms since 2007, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vasquez highlights a drop in the U.S. ranking and its implications for innovation and growth. He also analyzes recent shifts in countries like Nicaragua and Argentina, where emerging leaders may rejuvenate economic freedoms. Dive into the intricate links between personal and economic freedoms and their global impact.

Ian Vasquez, a Cato expert on international affairs, dives into Mexico's alarming political landscape under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He discusses the centralization of power and the implications for market freedom, emphasizing the adverse effects on everyday citizens. The conversation highlights threats to democracy, particularly through judicial reforms that undermine independence and human rights. Vasquez warns of the repercussions for Mexico's trade relations, particularly with the United States, as these shifts take hold.