

The Trade Guys
CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 25, 2021 • 23min
Biden-Trudeau, Korean Battery Brawl, and New Administration, Same WTO Game
Andrew and the Trade Guys break down President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent meeting. Plus, they explain the significance of a dispute between advanced battery makers LG Chem and SK Innovation. And, they react to the Biden administration’s to pursue a national security defense at the WTO in a dispute with Hong Kong.

Feb 23, 2021 • 37min
Complying with the USMCA is the New Priority
In this crossover episode with the newest CSIS podcast, Mexico Matters, host Mariana Campero speaks with Ken Smith, Mexico’s Chief USMCA negotiator and with the CSIS Trade Guys, Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch, about the new USMCA— which was signed two years ago by President Lopez Obrador. They dive deep into how some of his policies run counter to the spirit of free competition and risk hindering US investments and other key interests. They also discuss the focus on compliance by the new Biden Administration and how protectionist measures on both sides can affect the overall competitiveness of North America.

Feb 18, 2021 • 31min
Rare Earths, Economic Versus National Security, and the WTO Vaccine Debate
In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys break down reports that China is mulling export restrictions on rare earth minerals, a move that could imperil production of U.S. military planes and other high-tech goods. They’ll analyze how the Biden administration is reforming the Trump administration’s view that economic security is a component of national security. Plus, the Trade Guys will react to the WTO’s incoming director-general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, latest comments on the WTO’s role in vaccine manufacturing and distribution.

Feb 10, 2021 • 26min
Trump’s Final Grade, USTR Staffs Up, and the WTO’s New Day
In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys give former President Trump his final trade policy grade now that there’s data for his entire term. Plus, they’ll break down new staffing announcements at USTR and what it signals about the Biden Administration’s approach to trade policy. Plus, the Trade Guys react to WTO members coalescing around Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General.

Feb 3, 2021 • 22min
Sullivan and Yang, Tariff Turnaround, and Container Costs
In this episode, guest host Jack Caporal and the Trade Guys react to new comments on the U.S.-China relationship from President Biden’s National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, and China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi. The Trade Guys also break down Biden’s decision to reimpose aluminum tariffs on the UAE, and explain why it’s now more profitable to send empty shipping containers to China compared to containers full of goods.

Jan 27, 2021 • 30min
Biden’s Turn at Buy American
In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys break down President Biden’s new Buy American executive order. They explain what the order does and how it might impact the U.S. economy and supply chains. Plus, they’ll explain what’s behind the EU’s new consideration of export restrictions on vaccines. The Trade Guys will also discuss why China overtaking the U.S. top destination for foreign investment isn’t cause for panic.

Jan 21, 2021 • 28min
Life After Tariff Man
In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys discuss trade policy after President Trump, how President Biden’s climate agenda will intersect with trade policy, and what to expect from next week’s “Buy American” executive order.

Jan 19, 2021 • 31min
EU Catch Up, Brexit Breakup, and Automobile Breakdown
In this episode, the Trade Guys unpack the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, review the first two weeks of the UK’s exit from the EU, and take a look at the global semiconductor shortage that’s stalled automobile production around the world.

Jan 7, 2021 • 30min
Combatting Forced Labor with CBP’s Brenda Smith
Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade, at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, joins the Trade Guys to discuss an important issue – how the United States investigates and prevents imports of products made with forced labor.

Dec 18, 2020 • 29min
Biden's Pick for USTR and the 2020 Year in Review
In this episode, Andrew and the Trade Guys react to Katherine Tai, Biden's nominee for USTR, and reflect on the past year's trade news. They'll also give a few predictions for the year ahead and what's to come under a new administration.


