Trade War Turbulence and Clean Energy

In this episode of Columbia Energy Exchange, Jason Bordoff interviews Jason Furman about the economic implications of tariffs, particularly in the context of clean energy. Furman argues that the recent increase in tariffs, especially on China, creates significant economic uncertainty and could slow down the clean energy transition. He critiques the rationale behind trade deficits and the focus on bringing back manufacturing jobs through tariffs, advocating instead for subsidies and investments in domestic industries. The conversation also covers the role of national security in trade policy, the impact of tariffs on consumers, and the effectiveness of different approaches to decarbonization, with Furman expressing support for the Inflation Reduction Act while emphasizing the importance of considering a carbon tax.