Tariffs: How They Affect the Economy and Trade (5004)

Joining Host Jim Falk are:

Donald Boudreaux, Ph.D., a professor of Economics at George Mason University and a senior fellow at George Mason’s Mercatus Center, a research center with a focus on economic markets, and

Jeff Ferry, chief economist emeritus at the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a nonprofit that represents exclusively domestic producers.

Tariffs, which President Trump describes as the most beautiful word in the dictionary is our focus. Unquestionably the administration’s position on tariffs is a key component of the administration’s overall economic and trade policy one which will likely affect our pocketbook.

While Tariffs have been around a while, they are today reaching a new level: either applied or threatened against not just our foes but our closest allies and major trading partners.

Economists are sharply divided on their effectiveness and ability to incentivize domestic manufacturing; reduce the trade deficit, or generate income that could be applied to reduce other taxes and protect our strategic national interests.

Others view them to be inflationary and potentially expose U.S. consumers and companies to retaliations from countries toward which they are directed on economic markets against tariffs.

Whether what is truly a tax will accomplish the desired outcome remains to be seen. Success or failure is also dependent on how other countries react/ retaliate as we have already seen.

Equally important is will U.S. companies make the investment to build manufacturing that had been lost during the peak of globalization.

And what about the consumer and his/ her pocketbook and purchasing power?

Join us for a spirited conversation with perspectives both for and against tariffs.

#5004