Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
newsOct 30, 202533:34pending

What did Reagan really believe about tariffs?

Front Burner

About this episode

Why has U.S. President Donald Trump suspended trade talks with Canada? Why did the U.S. ambassador to Canada level an expletive-laced tirade at Ontario's trade representative, in front of more than 200 people? Why is Trump's treasury secretary accusing the Ontario government of running a psy-op?


Because of a 60-second ad, featuring clips of former president Ronald Reagan explaining why he thinks tariffs — Trump's self-professed "favourite word" — are bad economic policy.


Rick Perlstein has written extensively about the history of American conservative politics, including the book Reaganland: America's Right Turn 1976-1980. He breaks down what Reagan actually believed about tariffs and free trade, and why bringing up the spectre of Reagan — one of the most sacred figures in American conservatism — has caused so much chaos.


We'd love to hear from you! Complete our listener survey here.


For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Get every episode summarized

Each time Front Burner publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

What did Reagan really believe about tariffs?

Front Burner

0:00
33:34

More episodes

More from Front Burner

View all episodes →