Douglas Irwin
douglasirwin.bsky.social
Douglas Irwin
@douglasirwin.bsky.social

Trade/economic history @Dartmouth College @Peterson Institute for International Economics Website: https://sites.dartmouth.edu/dirwin/

Douglas A. Irwin is the John French Professor of Economics in the Economics Department at Dartmouth College and the author of seven books. He is an expert on both past and present U.S. trade policy, especially policy during the Great Depression. He is frequently sought by media outlets such as The Economist and Wall Street Journal to provide comment and his opinion on current events. He also writes op-eds and articles about trade for mainstream media outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Financial Times. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. .. more

Economics 75%
Political science 18%

Just a friendly reminder that the anti dumping process continues to churn out high tariffs beyond Trump's reciprocal tariffs ... www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves
The Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of the tariffs it has levied.
www.wsj.com

Reposted by Jay Shambaugh

This is a historic day for trade policy. Background here ⤵️

In about an hour, you can listen to the Supreme Court oral arguments in the IEEPA tariff cases here:

www.supremecourt.gov/oral_argumen...

I doubt we'll hear anything new and interesting in the parties' arguments, but if the justices ask anything that seems worth noting, I'll try to note it here.

Reposted by Benn Steil

Reposted by Douglas A. Irwin

"In countless speeches, radio addresses, and policy actions, Reagan assailed the costs of protection and hailed the virtues of free trade.” Economics professor @douglasirwin.bsky.social shows how President Trump is rebranding Reagan’s free trade legacy in an opinion piece in the @nytimes.com.
Opinion | The Canadians Are Right About Reagan and Free Trade
www.nytimes.com

"Economic integration was once considered a threat to sovereignty. Today it has become its shield."

www.economist.com/finance-and-...
The new globalisation paradox
In the age of Donald Trump, national autonomy requires deeper integration. Brazil shows why
www.economist.com

Reposted by Douglas A. Irwin

Excellent piece from @douglasirwin.bsky.social
Reagan: "We should beware of the demagogues who are ready to declare a trade war against our friends — weakening our economy, our national security and the entire free world — all while cynically waving the American flag
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | The Canadians Are Right About Reagan and Free Trade
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Adam S. Posen

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Want to understand Reagan's trade policies? You have to understand the three P's: principles, pragmatism, and politics....
Opinion | The Canadians Are Right About Reagan and Free Trade
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Simon Lester

More on Reagan v Trump on tariffs

www.wsj.com/opinion/reag...

Reposted by Douglas A. Irwin

On 2, check out Clashing over Commerce by @douglasirwin.bsky.social at p 574, quoting administration adviser Bill Niskanen: The Reagan administration's strategy was "to build a five-foot trade wall in order to deter a ten-foot wall [that would have been] established by Congress."

Reposted by Simon Lester

Yes, he was a free trader but did a strategic retreat in his first term under the pressure of the recession and Congress
www.wsj.com/opinion/rona...
Opinion | Ronald Reagan Was No Protectionist
He agreed to cap Japanese auto imports in 1981 but hated the deal and did it only as a compromise.
www.wsj.com