Peterson Perspectives: Interviews on Current Issues

Soumaya Keynes of The Economist and PIIE Senior Fellow Chad P. Bown have a wide-ranging conversation with Dani Rodrik (Harvard Kennedy School) about trade agreements. In Part 1 of this 4-episode conversation, they discuss the purpose of such deals, the gains from easing labor market restrictions, and Dani’s views on inserting provisions into free trade agreements regarding intellectual property rights protection, investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), and rules of origin.

Soumaya Keynes of The Economist and PIIE Senior Fellow Chad P. Bown explore the US Department of Commerce findings that imports of steel and aluminum threaten national security and the recommendation that President Trump impose new trade restrictions. They speak with Jennifer Hillman (Georgetown Law) about the trade law in use (Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962), the differences between the proposed tariffs and quotas, the likely costs of such a decision, and the implications for the WTO system.

PIIE Senior Fellow Chad P. Bown and Soumaya Keynes of The Economist talk with PIIE Senior Fellow Douglas Irwin about his recent book "Clashing over Commerce: A History of US Trade Policy" and the role that protectionism played in the US economy during its industrial development of the 19th century. They examine Henry Clay’s proposal for an "American system," the Jeffersonian trade embargo of 1807–09, as well as the theoretical arguments for—and the practical arguments against—the benefits of "infant industry" protection. They also discuss why new tariff protection today would be unlikely to help President Trump make America great.

Monica de Bolle argues that sanctioning Venezuela’s oil company PDVSA will worsen the country's humanitarian crisis but will likely not change President Nicolas Maduro's behavior.

Monica de Bolle argues that sanctioning Venezuela’s oil company PDVSA will worsen the country's humanitarian crisis but will likely not change President Nicolas Maduro's behavior.

Jeromin Zettelmeyer and Jacob Funk Kirkegaard argue that there is reason to be optimistic that a government coalition of Merkel's Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats could work on reforms with French president Emmanuel Macron.

Jeromin Zettelmeyer and Jacob Funk Kirkegaard argue that there is reason to be optimistic that a government coalition of Merkel's Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats could work on reforms with French president Emmanuel Macron.

PIIE Senior Fellow Chad P. Bown and Soumaya Keynes of The Economist discuss the challenges facing the UK government as it seeks negotiations separate from the Brexit talks to maintain existing market access through the European Union's free trade agreements with more than 60 countries. Roughly 15 percent of UK goods trade is with such countries, which include South Korea, Canada, and Mexico. They speak with University of Sussex Professor Michael Gasiorek about complications preventing the simple “roll over” of those existing trade deals, including new challenges posed by rules of origin requirements, non-discriminatory treatment, tariff-rate quotas, and mutual recognition of standards.

Hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens still use costly informal credit where they lack access to a formal financial system. Martin Chorzempa says that Chinese officials should work with private companies to improve the rules around sharing while protecting consumer data that will provide fair priced loans to Chinese people.

Hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens still use costly informal credit where they lack access to a formal financial system. Martin Chorzempa says that Chinese officials should work with private companies to improve the rules around sharing while protecting consumer data that will provide fair priced loans to Chinese people.