The Trade-Offs on Tariffs and International Trade, with Professor Douglas Irwin

Recorded on April 15, 2020

Douglas Irwin is the John French Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College. He is the author of a number of books, including the definitive history of American trade policy, Clashing over Commerce. In this sheltering at home edition of Uncommon Knowledge, we delve deep into the issues around the Trump administration’s imposition of huge tariffs on goods from China and elsewhere, and the impact of a health crisis that has businesses across the country re-examining their investments abroad. Also, what’s the right way to think about international trade? Is free trade still the best policy? We get deep into the weeds of the issues around imports and exports with Professor Irwin.

To view the transcript of this conversation, click here.

Cast

Douglas A. Irwin

Douglas A. Irwin

Related

Videos

The Great Fertility Collapse With Jesús Fernández-Villaverde

For the first time in human history, we're not having enough children to keep the world's population from falling. 

October 12, 2026

Videos

The Medicare Time Bomb: Can Washington Defuse It?

Could Medicare face insolvency as soon as 2033? Hoover’s Tom Church examines the looming funding crisis, the challenges of entitlement reform, and the risks of Medicare for All.

October 9, 2026

Africa’s Evolving Role In A New International Order

Courted by China and Russia, and dissatisfied with America’s attentions, the continent awaits clarity from Washington.

October 7, 2026