Don Boudreaux - Why Are We In A Trade War?

Matt Bufton speaks with Don Boudreaux about tariffs, free trade, and the economic misunderstandings that drive protectionist policies. Don critiques the balance of trade doctrine, drawing from historical examples and economic theory to explain why tariffs harm both consumers and producers. The discussion covers the impact of tariffs on the U.S. and Canada, how politicians exploit economic misconceptions, and why a policy of unilateral free trade would be the best path forward.

References

1. Globalization by Don Boudreaux

   • Paperback: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/globalization-9780313342134/  

2. The Essential Hayek by Don Boudreaux

   • Free PDF: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/essential-hayek_0.pdf  

3. "The Case for Free Trade" by Don Boudreaux (Mercatus Center)

   • https://www.mercatus.org/system/files/boudreaux-benefits-free-trade-ep-v2.pdf 

4. "Don't Get Played By Protectionists" (Cafe Hayek)

   • https://cafehayek.com/2025/03/dont-get-played-by-protectionists.html 

5. "On America's Trade Deficit With China" by Don Boudreaux

   • https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/on-americas-trade-deficit-with-china/ 

6. "Adam Smith Doesn't Like U.S. Trade Policy" by Stuart Anderson

   • https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2018/07/18/adam-smith-doesnt-like-u-s-trade-policy/ 

---

Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.