Are Trump’s Tariffs Trying to Solve a Problem That Doesn’t Exist?

May 12, 2025, The Opinions

Jason Furman, an economist who was an adviser to President Barack
Obama, believes that trade is an unmitigated good — a rarely heard
opinion on the right or the left these days. In this episode of “The
Opinions,” David Leonhardt, the director of the Times editorial
board, pushes Furman on the downsides of trade and asks him to
explain its benefits — for both Americans and the rest of the world.

Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.

This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Jillian Weinberger.
It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. The rest of the
show’s production team includes Derek Arthur and Vishakha Darbha.
Mixing by Efim Shapiro. Original music by Pat McCusker and Isaac
Jones. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by
Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. The director of Opinion Audio
is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Source Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsSyKK4u58c&ab_channel=NewYorkTimesPodcasts