The Trade Guys - podcast cover

The Trade Guys

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studieswww.csis.org
Trade experts Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch break down the buzz around trade, how it affects policy, and how it impacts your day-to-day. The Trade Guys is a weekly podcast from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.
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Episodes

China's Retaliatory Tariffs, Section 301 Authorities, and Tariff Refund Litigation

The Trade Guys delve into the significant impact of China's retaliatory tariffs, specifically a $14.9 billion loss in US agricultural export sales, and the long-term shift in market dynamics. They also discuss the Trump administration's new Section 301 tariffs targeting forced labor practices across 60 nations, exploring the proposed remedies and potential legal challenges. Finally, the episode unpacks the complex and contentious litigation surrounding tariff refunds, particularly for liquidated entries, and the strategic implications for importers.

Jun 09, 202632 min

Business Roundtable's Nasim Fussell Talks USMCA

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott welcome Nasim Fussell, Vice President of Trade and International at Business Roundtable, to give an update on progress in USMCA renewal talks and what the business community is watching in North American trade.

Jun 04, 202632 min

How to Win a Trade War with Chad Bown and Soumaya Keynes

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott welcome Chad Bown (Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics) and Soumaya Keynes (Economics Columnist, Financial Times ) to discuss the issues raised in their new book, How to Win a Trade War.

May 26, 202633 min

USMCA Review and Autos with Jennifer Safavian

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott host Jennifer Safavian, President & CEO of Autos Drive America, to discuss North American auto supply chains and the key issues at stake for automakers in USMCA review.

May 19, 202633 min

Tariff Refund Process, Trade Over Aid, and USTR Greer Testifies

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott give an update on the launch of the tariff refund process. They also discuss the U.S. "Trade Over Aid" initiative and break down U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's congressional testimony on the administration's trade agenda.

Apr 27, 202633 min

Hormuz Blockade Impacts and Trump's New Tariff Playbook

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott unpack the latest on the economic impacts of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. They also look at the Trump administration's efforts to implement tariffs under Sections 122 and 301.

Apr 20, 202631 min

Talking Export Control Alignment, New 232s, and Trump's Budget Request with Kate Koren

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott talk with Kate Koren, Deputy Director of the Economics Program at CSIS. She discusses the latest efforts in Congress to align U.S. export controls with partners, including the MATCH Act bill. They also cover new Section 232 tariffs on pharmaceuticals and metals and the White House's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027.

Apr 13, 202636 min

EU-Australia Trade Deal, Sanctions Relief for Russia and Iran, UK Steel Tariffs, and US-Ecuador Agreement

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.

Mar 30, 202634 min

Victor Cha on China's Weaponization of Trade

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...

Mar 16, 202628 min

Economic Impacts of Iran Conflict, Tariff Refund Update, and Colombia-Ecuador Trade War

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.

Mar 09, 202626 min

SCOTUS Decision Fallout & the EU-China Relationship

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.

Mar 02, 202634 min

Steel & Aluminum Tariffs, "First Sale", and U.S.-Taiwan Deal

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.

Feb 23, 202628 min

Emergency Trade Guys: Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs

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.

Feb 20, 202628 min

House Tariff Override, India Deals, EU-China Tension, and the Return of the Suez

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.

Feb 17, 202630 min

Critical Minerals Moves, Cuba in the Crosshairs, and EU-Russia Sanctions Update

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.

Feb 09, 202633 min

Canada Tariff Threats, Davos Roundup, and WTO Reform Proposals

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.

Feb 02, 202634 min

The Greenland Trade War That Almost Was, China-Canada Détente, and Pharma Deals

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.

Jan 26, 202632 min

China vs. the World, Chips Tariffs, and Global Minimum Tax

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.

Jan 20, 202632 min

The Trade Guys x Simply Trade: One Messy Trade Year

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.

Jan 13, 202641 min

Tariff Dividends, U.S.-UK Pharma Deal, and Bullying vs. Persuasion

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.

Dec 08, 202529 min

USMCA Review, U.S.-China Trade Thaw, and the Return of Congress

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.

Nov 18, 202532 min

Tariffs at the Supreme Court, a CS3D Update, and Nvidia Chips to the UAE

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.

Nov 11, 202532 min

Takeaways from Trump's Trip to Asia

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.

Nov 04, 202528 min
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