This Planet Money Indicator podcast episode uses a game show format ("Deal or No Deal") to analyze the nature of recent trade deals announced by the Trump administration. A former U.S. trade negotiator, Wendy Cutler, assesses two deals (with the UK and China) based on three criteria: detailed commitments, dispute settlement mechanisms, and congressional involvement. Cutler finds the deals lacking in concrete commitments and weak on dispute resolution, concluding that they are not substantial agreements but rather temporary measures or frameworks for future negotiations. The lack of a win-win outcome and the feeling of being strong-armed into agreements are also highlighted as potential problems for the long-term success of these deals.
