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

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

Shipping Emissions, Pre-APEC Tit For Tat, and U.S. Agriculture Exports

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.

Oct 27, 202531 min

Tariffs on Furniture, Pharma, and Films, China at the WTO, and AGOA Expiration

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).

Oct 06, 202531 min

Explaining Muted Tariff Impacts, Farmers in Trouble, and US-UK Trade Talks

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 cours...

Sep 29, 202537 min

Nvidia vs. China, Lumber Disputes with Canada, and a Russia Sanctions Update

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 regis...

Sep 23, 202533 min

EU-U.S. Tensions, Economic Indicators, and Zeroing Out Tariffs

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 t...

Sep 15, 202536 min

The IEEPA Bombshell, WTO Pocket Rescission, and Export Licenses to China

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...

Sep 08, 202528 min

Demystifying De Minimis with the Simply Trade Podcast

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 ...

Sep 02, 202540 min

Chip Dealmaking and 232 Investigations

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.

Aug 25, 202522 min

Putting Economic Pressure on Russia and New Tariff Agreements

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.

Jul 28, 202536 min

The Show Must Go On: New Tariffs and the Role of the Dollar

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.

Jul 21, 202529 min

Altana CEO Evan Smith on Managing Supply Chains with AI

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.

Jul 14, 202536 min

A New U.S.-China Framework Agreement and the Stubbornness of Globalization

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 a...

Jun 17, 202531 min

An Export Control Chat with Jeannette Chu

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.

Jun 10, 202536 min

IEEPA Tariffs Struck Down, EU Tariff Threats, and the Big Beautiful Bill

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.

Jun 02, 202528 min
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