Trump’s Tariffs: Art of the Deal or Economic Disaster? w/ Darren Brady Nelson - Bonus Episode

Economics Explored

Are Trump’s tariffs a masterstroke of economic negotiation or a blunder with global consequences? Show host Gene Tunny and returning guest Darren Brady Nelson debate the rationale behind punitive tariffs, the backlash from markets, and whether this is all part of a broader deal-making strategy. They also discuss Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative and Darren’s run-in with a wild turkey on Wisconsin’s special elections campaign trail.

Please let Gene know your thoughts on Trump’s tariffs and any questions or comments regarding this episode by emailing Gene at [email protected].

Timestamps

• Introduction and Market Reaction to Trump's Tariffs (0:00)
• Darren Brady Nelson's Run-In with a Wild Turkey (1:45)
• Assessment of Trump's Tariffs (6:51)
• Formula for Calculating Tariffs (12:26)
• Impact on Consumers and Businesses (19:59)
• National Security Considerations (37:06)
• DOGE's Role in Identifying Waste and Fraud (44:07)
• Wisconsin Special Election and Voter ID Law (55:14)
• Australian Election Predictions (1:00:42)
• Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks (1:05:44)

Links relevant to the conversation

Trump’s Executive Order “Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits”:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/

Statement by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva:

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/03/pr2587-statement-by-imf-managing-director-kristalina-georgieva

Darren’s 2018 article “Trumpʼs tariffs: free, fair or foul trade?”, in which he discusses Adam Smith and free trade:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xQEt4n1bJ-W3RN2-H7_0w3q6vcI3eBCc/view?usp=sharing

Dan Mitchell’s “Six Visuals to Understand Trump’s Suicidal Tax Increase on Trade”:

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/03/pr2587-statement-by-imf-managing-director-kristalina-georgieva

CNN reporting, “This is the dubious way Trump calculated his ‘reciprocal’ tariffs”:

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/03/economy/reciprocal-tariff-math/index.html

Axios reporting, “Trump's surprisingly simple tariff math”:

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/03/how-trump-calculated-tariffs-trade-deficit

CNBC reporting, “Trump open to tariff negotiations, contradicting White House aides”:

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-live-updates-stock-market-trade-war.html

Note this reporting: ‘Top Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro denied that Trump’s new tariffs are being used as a tool to negotiate better trade terms with other countries.’

Great Reset discussion with Darren from 2020:

https://economics-explained.simplecast.com/episodes/the-great-reset

DOGE’s reported savings:

https://doge.gov/savings

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Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com.