Professor Richard Epstein of the Civitas Institute examines the federal court rulings on President Trump's tariff authority, explaining how emergency statutes designed for sudden market disruptions are being invoked for what Epstein calls “chronic conditions” in U.S. trade policy.
As the legal battle escalates with Trump criticizing both the courts and the Federalist Society, the question emerges: How will the Supreme Court balance executive authority against congressional power in what may become a defining case for presidential limits?
Our conversation also touches on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent statement that the administration will seek to “aggressively” revoke the visas of Chinese students studying at American colleges and universities.
Until recently, Ronald Reagan was heralded as a president committed to free trade, lowering taxes, and deregulation. This has started to change as New Right thinkers have tried to create continuities between Reagan and Donald Trump. Some of these connections are legitimate, but others are absurd.
David Hebert and Marcus Witcher, “Reagan’s Trade Doctrine”
Economics professors Marcus Witcher and David Hebert compare Ronald Reagan's approach to Japanese auto imports in the 1980s against the Trump administration recent trade policies.
While the voluntary export restraint (VER) of 1981 initially saved 44,000 American auto jobs, it ultimately led to the closure of 42 of 63 U.S. auto plants and prevented Detroit from adapting to foreign competition.
Reagan viewed trade barriers as taxes on consumers and believed exposure to foreign competition would strengthen U.S. industries. As the discussion turns to parallels with today's China trade policies, the question arises: Would Reagan, who championed tearing down barriers and unleashing American workers on global markets, recognize the protectionist approach of today's Republican Party?
LINKS:
“Reagan’s Trade Doctrine” by David Hebert and Marcus Witcher on Civitas Outlook
The John Batchelor Show on Apple Podcasts:
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