The Daily - A Conversation With the Architect of Trump's New Trade War

A Conversation With the Architect of Trump's New Trade War

02/18/25 • 30 min

10 Listeners

During less than a month in office, President Trump has pursued more trade actions against adversaries and allies than all the trade measures he took in his entire first four-year term. There is one man guiding it all: his trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The Times, explains why Mr. Navarro thinks tariffs will usher in a new age of American prosperity.

Guest: Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times.

Background reading:

Mr. Navarro, a loyalist in Mr. Trump’s first term, was a thorn in the side of Wall Street.
Mr. Trump’s tariffs are threatening to upend the global economic order.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The Times, explains why Mr. Navarro thinks tariffs will usher in a new age of American prosperity.

Guest: Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times.

Background reading:

Mr. Navarro, a loyalist in Mr. Trump’s first term, was a thorn in the side of Wall Street.
Mr. Trump’s tariffs are threatening to upend the global economic order.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Previous Episode

Trump Shocks Europe

A few days ago, the Trump administration began blowing up America’s existing approach to ending the war in Europe by embracing Russia and snubbing Ukraine.

The shift has quickly turned into a broader assault on America’s relationship with Europe.

Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief of The Times, explains how it’s all adding up to a stunning victory for Vladimir V. Putin.

Guest: Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading:

Analysis: Vladimir V. Putin’s call with President Trump reinforced the Russian leader’s view that Moscow and Washington should decide the fate of Ukraine.
After being left out of Ukraine talks, Europe is racing to organize a response.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Next Episode

Inside the Trump Purge: Federal Workers Tell Their Stories

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On the campaign trail, Donald J. Trump and his allies left little doubt that, if they returned to power, federal workers would face layoffs, buyouts and agency closures.

Now that President Trump’s plan has become a reality, dozens of federal workers explain what it’s been like to live through it.

Background reading:

Here’s where Mr. Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE have cut federal workers so far.
Stunned government workers are facing sleeplessness, anger and tears.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.