The Trade Guys

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott reflect on the anniversary of Liberation Day and how President Trump has reshaped the global economic landscape. They also react to the failure to renew the global moratorium on e-commerce taxation at the 14th WTO Ministerial and new Chinese investigations into U.S. trade practices.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill opens with an update on the ongoing 14th WTO Ministerial Conference and the legislative implementation of the EU-U.S. trade deal. Bill and Scott then dive into the completed EU-Australia trade deal, the Trump administration's temporary pause on oil sanctions on Russia and Iran, new steel tariffs in the UK, and the new Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between the U.S. and Ecuador.

Bill and Scott discuss the SCOTUS ruling on the IEEPA tariffs one month after its decision, unpack the challenges and sanctions in the U.S.-Cuba relationship, and give an update on USMCA.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott welcome Victor Cha, who is president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea chair at CSIS, as well as a Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University. Victor discusses a series of cases from his new book, China's Weaponization of Trade, which examines how and in what ways the United States and China have deployed economic coercion, focusing on China’s extensive use of this tactic over the past three decades

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott dive into the impacts of the Iran Conflict on world trade, especially for energy markets. Bill then gives an update on the Court of International Trade's efforts to implement the Supreme Court's IEEPA decision. They conclude by unpacking an escalating trade war between Ecuador and Colombia.

The Trade Guys make sense of the initial fallout from the SCOTUS decision, including refunds, potential tariff stacking, and impacts on industries and the international community. They also discuss potential changes in the EU-China relationship following German chancellor Merz's visit to Beijing.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss the current status of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum and also unpack a Senate bill proposing to revise the "First Sale" rule governing how tariffs are collected. They close with a look at the recent trade deal between the United States and Taiwan.

On this emergency episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott break down the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision striking down President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for broad tariffs and discuss the implications of the decision for global trade.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott unpack why House members voted to override President Trump's tariffs on Canada and what will come next. They also look at recent Indian dealmaking with the U.S. and EU, rising trade tensions between the EU and China, and the return of shipping commerce to the Suez Canal route.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott react to the recently announced U.S. critical minerals stockpile and a broader effort to work with allies on price floors. They also discuss plummeting oil shipments to Cuba under Trump administration pressure, as well as continued efforts in the EU to sanction and decouple from Russia.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott react to President Trump's threat to impose 100 percent tariffs on Canada. They also discuss their takeaways from the aftermath of the World Economic Forum in Davos and several proposals to reform the World Trade Organization.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss President Trump's tariff threats surrounding Greenland and the outcomes of the World Economic Forum in Davos. They also look at a series of new trade agreements, including a deal between China and Canada, and close by unpacking Trump's deals on pharmaceutical pricing.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss the carveout for U.S. multinationals from key parts of the OECD’s 15% global minimum tax framework. They also unpack the unconventional announced semiconductor 232 tariffs and escalating diplomatic and economic tension between China and Japan.

The Trade Guys kick off 2026 with a special crossover episode featuring the Simply Trade podcast’s Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles. Together, the group explores what’s ahead for 2026, focusing on major global trade battlefronts including the Supreme Court, WTO, and USMCA.

On this week’s episode, the Trade Guys discuss President Trump’s decision to sell Nvidia H200 chips to China, the status of the U.S.-Indonesia trade deal, and North Pole tariffs ahead of the holidays.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss President Trump’s $12 billion aid package to U.S. farmers, China’s trade surplus hitting over $1 trillion despite U.S. tariffs, and USTR’s hearings with stakeholders on extending the USMCA.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott unpack a proposal from the Trump administration to give a $2,000 tariff dividend to all low- and middle-income Americans. They also examine a new deal between the U.S. and UK on pharmaceuticals. Finally, we finish with a debate on whether bullying or persuasion is more effective in trade negotiations.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss new U.S. trade deals and framework agreements and the significance of "poison pill" clauses inserted into several of the deals. Scott also unpacks the impacts of trade on Thanksgiving foods.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss the upcoming 2026 review of the USMCA and the state of trade in North America. They also examine recent cooperation between the United States and China on counternarcotics and port fees and ponder whether Congress may take action on tariffs now that the shutdown is over. Plus, we welcome Alex Kisling as our new moderator.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Phil offer their takeaways from this week's Supreme Court oral arguments on the IEEPA tariffs. They also give an update on the progress of the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and discuss Microsoft's receipt of a license to ship thousands of advanced Nvidia AI chips to the UAE.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we talk through the outcomes from President Trump's trip to Asia, including negotiations with China, the ROK, and ASEAN.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we discuss a vote on rules aimed at lowering carbon emissions from shipping which was called off under U.S. pressure. We also cover expanded rare earth export controls coming out of China and new CSIS findings on the severe impacts of retaliation on U.S. farmers.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we join forces with Betsy Olim of the Export Stories Podcast to share stories from decades' worth of experience in trade.

This week, the Trade Guys discuss the future of globalization, the rules-based order, and what may come next in front of a live audience.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we look at a slew of recent tariff announcements, including on furniture, pharmaceuticals, and foreign movies. We also cover China's relinquishing of “special and differential” WTO treatment and the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we dig into why tariffs haven't had as significant impact on the economy as expected. We also look at the impacts of trade retaliation on farmers and recent progress in trade talks between the United States and United Kingdom. Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our ⁠Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys⁠ this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we give an update on U.S.–China Talks in Madrid and China's recent actions against Nvidia. We also cover disputes between the U.S. and Canada over lumber, as well as signaling from the Trump administration about further sanctions on Russia. Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our ⁠Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys⁠ this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we look at ongoing challenges to the EU-U.S. trade relationship, the early data on the macroeconomic impacts of the tariffs both home and abroad, and a recent executive order zeroing out tariffs on a select range of goods deemed not available in the United States. Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our ⁠Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys⁠ this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we react to the recent decision from the Federal Court of Appeals on the use of IEEPA for tariffs, look at a rare pocket rescission targeting the World Trade Organization, and talk about the revocation of export licenses to China for TSMC, SK Hynix, and Samsung. Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our ⁠Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys⁠ this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

On this special crossover episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott are joined by Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles of the Simply Trade Podcast to talk de minimis and current trade policy. Check out the Simply Trade Podcast from the Global Training Center wherever you find your podcasts. Trade continues to be the hottest policy topic in Washington, which is why we’re bringing back our Crash Course: Trade Policy with the Trade Guys this fall. If you missed our spring course, now is the perfect time to register. The course runs from October 8-9 at CSIS Headquarters or via Zoom. Registration is open until October 3.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we discuss the Trump administration’s latest deals with respect to AI chips going to China, and we also get into the growing list of Section 232 investigations and where they may be headed.

The Trade Guys welcome Rick Woldenberg, CEO of hand2mind and Learning Resources, whose companies are plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. They explore the case, its broader implications, and how tariffs are affecting American businesses.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we bring in Dr. Philip Luck to talk about the 50% tariffs the Trump administration has applied to Brazil and India and why they may represent a new frontier. We also reflect on how U.S. tariffs on third countries and sanctions (or lack thereof) are impacting Russia and China.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we examine two recent tariff and investment deals that the Trump administration has made with the European Union and the Republic of Korea. We also give an update on how trade negotiations with China are progressing.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we look at efforts from the President and Congress to use tariffs to put pressure on Russia. We also talk through several new announced deals and those on the horizon, including with Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and the EU.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we talk through a range of new tariff announcements and where negotiations may be headed. We also look at the role of the dollar in the international monetary system and what scenarios could lead to de-dollarization. We also pay tribute to our friend and colleague Andrew Schwartz.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we welcome Altana CEO Evan Smith to tell us about the leading-edge work his company does to drive resilience, compliance, and efficiency across the global supply chain. We also talk through the impacts of recent tariffs on supply chains and where U.S. trade negotiations stand.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we discuss why the G7 Summit in Canada failed to produce progress on trade and how negotiations with key trade partners are going. We also look at the implications of the Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict for oil markets and whether closing the Strait of Hormuz could be a viable path for Iran.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we discuss the results of the latest round of U.S.-China negotiations on tariffs and export controls in London. We also go through recent progress on new and expanding trade deals—including the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)—many of which are proceeding with the U.S. on the sidelines. The first episode of Echonomics, a new CSIS podcast that looks at how past economic events in Asia continue to impact U.S. policy today, is now available online. Find it here.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we welcome the National Foreign Trade Council's Jeannette Chu to talk us through the latest developments in trade and security, including the Trump administration's "disco ball" approach to export controls, Section 232 tariffs, and other tools.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we walk through decisions by two federal courts blocking the Trump administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). We then look at the president's recent threat of 50% tariffs on the EU and the "Big Beautiful" budget reconciliation bill moving through Congress.

On this special episode of the Trade Guys, we welcome back Representative Suzan DelBene from Washington's 1st District for her perspectives on the “Big Beautiful Bill” and an outlook on current trade priorities, including efforts to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in trade.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we unpack the Geneva agreement between the U.S. and China to deescalate their trade war. We also look at the US-UK framework agreement and what lessons it offers for other countries looking to negotiate with the Trump administration.

The Trade Guys were honored to open the third day of the BAFT (Bankers Association for Finance and Trade) Global Annual Meeting in Washington. They discuss the latest buzz around tariffs and take questions from the live audience.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, we open with a discussion of the swift White House reaction to Amazon's consideration of a plan to display the tariff costs on its products. We also provide updates on ongoing tariff negotiations with other countries and dig into what the administration considers to be non-tariff barriers.