April 14, 2025

Why Trump's China Tariffs Won't Work

1 hour 13 minutes

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, Matt Welch, and special guest Mary Katharine Ham discuss President Donald Trump's trade war with China. They also talk about the taxes they hate the most—just in time to celebrate Tax Day.

4:30—Trump's trade war with China

15:36—How will Trump's tariffs affect the U.S. manufacturing industry?

23:06—Is the U.S. middle class hollowed out?

34:52—Tax Day is upon us, once again

43:31—Listener question about Thomas Jefferson's list of grievances

50:21—The Department of Government Efficiency's cost savings update

59:59—Cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Apple, Nvidia Score Relief From US Tariffs With Exemptions," by Debby Wu, Josh Wingrove, and Shawn Donnan

"For me, one of the main benefits of making some money is not having to wear a gimp suit for anybody," by Cliff Asness

"Taxes: The Price We Pay for Civilization," by Meredith Bragg and Nick Gillespie

"A Current Snapshot of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit," by Juliette Cubanski

"Medicare Madness," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Global Village or Global Pillage?" by Mario Vargas Llosa

"Viva Mario!" by Michael Valdez Moses

Reason on Mario Vargas Llosa

Hearts of Fire, starring Bob Dylan, directed by Richard Marquand

"Even on Pause, Trump's Trade War Runs Up a Big Price Tag," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trade War With China," by Liz Wolfe

"Rand Paul on China, Free Speech, and Banning TikTok," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"America Gained Nothing From Trump's Latest Tariff Stunt," by Eric Boehm

"Markets Rally as Trump Pauses Tariffs. Should Presidents Have This Much Power?" by Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Tariffs Violate the Constitutional Separation of Powers," by Damon Root

"Dealing with Despots," by Virginia Postrel

"Happy Birthday, Medicare Part D! Now Die! Die! Die!" by Nick Gillespie

Today's sponsors:

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