Democrats and Republicans have taken a protectionist turn on trade policy over the past few years. They say it’s to protect national security, but that argument doesn’t always hold up. Just look at this week’s announcement from vice-president Kamala Harris that she doesn’t support the purchase of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel. The FT’s economics editor, Sam Fleming, and Washington bureau chief, James Politi, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain why both parties are leaning into “Made in America”.

Mentioned in this podcast:

How national security has transformed economic policy

Joe Biden set to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel

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Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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