Oren Cass & Noah Smith Debate the True Impact of Tariffs

The podcast features a debate between Oren Cass and Noah Smith, moderated by a third speaker, on the merits of industrial policy, reshoring, and tariffs in supporting American manufacturing. Cass argues for policies like tariffs and increased domestic manufacturing to strengthen family, community, and industry, viewing them as necessary corrections to an overreliance on free markets, especially concerning China. He defends Trump's tariffs as a long-term strategy despite short-term manufacturing downturns. Smith counters with economic data showing manufacturing decline following tariff implementation, advocating for free trade with allies and industrial policy to boost manufacturing. The discussion covers economic indicators, trade deficits, and the potential for tariffs to revitalize American manufacturing, with both sides outlining what evidence would change their perspectives.