Heather Hurlburt

Creon Butler, director of Chatham House’s Global Economy and Finance Programme, gives economic analysis of tariffs. Heather Hurlburt, a Washington-based Chatham House analyst, explains political and policy drivers. They discuss why tariffs appeal to Trump, legal and administrative headaches from the Supreme Court ruling, revenue versus deficit tradeoffs, and how global supply chains and partner responses may shift.

Brad Setser, a senior fellow at CFR specializing in global trade, and Heather Hurlburt, an expert at Chatham House, dive into the complex world of the U.S. trade deficit. They explore whether this deficit is truly detrimental, arguing that it can enhance economic variety and attract foreign investment. The discussion also unpacks the historical context of trade relations, the nuances of tax impacts, and how these factors directly affect American jobs and consumer prices, challenging the oversimplified narratives around trade deficits.