Trump tariffs: All about the deficits

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2025/04/04

Overview Shownote Highlights Transcript Chapters Pins

Shownote

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on global trade, adding taxes of as much as 50% to imports from some countries. The tariffs, he says, are “reciprocal” – calculated to address currency manipulation and trade barriers that other cou...

Highlights

In the wake of sweeping new tariff announcements by former President Donald Trump, questions are emerging about the logic, fairness, and economic rationale behind these trade measures. Presented by Tim Harford, this episode unpacks the realities beneath the rhetoric, examining how these tariffs were calculated and what they really mean for global trade.

04:30

New US tariffs are based on trade deficits, not reciprocal trade barriers.

Chapters

What’s Behind Trump’s Claim of 'Reciprocal' Tariffs?

00:00

How Are These Tariffs Actually Calculated?

03:16

Do Trade Deficits Really Mean Unfair Trade?

06:16

Where Can You Hear More Global Stories Like This?

09:52

Transcript

Tim Harford: This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Speaker 3: November 24th, 2025, to December 1st, 2025 in U.S. And Canada. Excludes clearance and gift cards. See details online. Speaker 5: A couch potato warning is in effect as DirecTV t...