

The Trade Guys
CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies
Trade experts Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch break down the buzz around trade, how it affects policy, and how it impacts your day-to-day. The Trade Guys is a weekly podcast from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 24, 2025 • 26min
New Trade Deals and Framework Agreements, Poison Pill Clauses, and Thanksgiving Dinner
On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss new U.S. trade deals and framework agreements and the significance of "poison pill" clauses inserted into several of the deals. Scott also unpacks the impacts of trade on Thanksgiving foods.

Nov 18, 2025 • 32min
USMCA Review, U.S.-China Trade Thaw, and the Return of Congress
On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss the upcoming 2026 review of the USMCA and the state of trade in North America. They also examine recent cooperation between the United States and China on counternarcotics and port fees and ponder whether Congress may take action on tariffs now that the shutdown is over. Plus, we welcome Alex Kisling as our new moderator.

Nov 11, 2025 • 32min
Tariffs at the Supreme Court, a CS3D Update, and Nvidia Chips to the UAE
On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Phil offer their takeaways from this week's Supreme Court oral arguments on the IEEPA tariffs. They also give an update on the progress of the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and discuss Microsoft's receipt of a license to ship thousands of advanced Nvidia AI chips to the UAE.

Nov 4, 2025 • 28min
Takeaways from Trump's Trip to Asia
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we talk through the outcomes from President Trump's trip to Asia, including negotiations with China, the ROK, and ASEAN.

Oct 27, 2025 • 31min
Shipping Emissions, Pre-APEC Tit For Tat, and U.S. Agriculture Exports
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we discuss a vote on rules aimed at lowering carbon emissions from shipping which was called off under U.S. pressure. We also cover expanded rare earth export controls coming out of China and new CSIS findings on the severe impacts of retaliation on U.S. farmers.

Oct 21, 2025 • 35min
Trading Tales with the Export Stories Podcast
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we join forces with Betsy Olim of the Export Stories Podcast to share stories from decades' worth of experience in trade.

Oct 13, 2025 • 25min
The Future of Globalization and Other Big Questions
This week, the Trade Guys discuss the future of globalization, the rules-based order, and what may come next in front of a live audience.

Oct 6, 2025 • 31min
Tariffs on Furniture, Pharma, and Films, China at the WTO, and AGOA Expiration
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we look at a slew of recent tariff announcements, including on furniture, pharmaceuticals, and foreign movies. We also cover China's relinquishing of “special and differential” WTO treatment and the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Sep 29, 2025 • 37min
Explaining Muted Tariff Impacts, Farmers in Trouble, and US-UK Trade Talks
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we dig into why tariffs haven't had as significant impact on the economy as expected. We also look at the impacts of trade retaliation on farmers and recent progress in trade talks between the United States and United Kingdom.
Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

Sep 23, 2025 • 33min
Nvidia vs. China, Lumber Disputes with Canada, and a Russia Sanctions Update
On this episode of the Trade Guys, we give an update on U.S.–China Talks in Madrid and China's recent actions against Nvidia. We also cover disputes between the U.S. and Canada over lumber, as well as signaling from the Trump administration about further sanctions on Russia.
Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.


