The Glenn Show TGS Live: Larry Kotlikoff on Debt, Tariffs, and the Public Role of Economists
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Mar 6, 2026 
Larry Kotlikoff, Boston University economist and public-policy commentator known for work on fiscal policy and generational accounting, joins to debate tariffs, U.S.–China trade, and the national debt. He challenges economic containment of China and weighs gains from trade. Short, sharp discussions probe whether GDP competition matters and how fiscal choices shape everyday lives.
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Avoid Alarmist Economic Rhetoric
- Glenn Loury and Kotlikoff criticize alarmist rhetoric like Peter Navarro's and recommend avoiding inflammatory academic endorsements.
- Loury suggests Harvard should retract Navarro's PhD influence because constant nonsense harms policy discourse.
China Will Overtake by Size Not Necessarily Threat
- Larry Kotlikoff argues economic conflict with China is unnecessary and harmful to both sides.
- He cites mutual gains from trade and projects China rising to ~25% of world GDP while the US falls to ~11%, making peaceful economic engagement pragmatic.
Demographics Plus Productivity Explain China's Rise
- Kotlikoff stresses demographics and productivity drive China's ascent: much larger population and rapidly rising output per person.
- He notes fertility declines but still four to five times US population and catch-up productivity boosting China's global share.