David Hebert
Deficits, Debts, and the Big Beautiful Bill
Imagine a friend of yours who is $456,000 in credit card debt said to you, “I’ve got a plan to make an extra $3,010 per year and get myself back […]
Who Really Sets Tariffs—and How?
In this Explainer, we’ll seek to understand what tariffs are, who gets to set them, and under what conditions.
Surprising Court Ruling Signals Trouble for Trump’s Tariffs
In the latest news on tariffs, the US Court of International Trade struck down the tariffs that President Trump has imposed under the auspices of the 1977 International Emergency Economic […]
Was Reagan a Protectionist?
Ronald Reagan is, famously, known for being a free trader, a globalist perhaps, in today’s parlance. He believed very firmly in the importance of American industry but also believed that […]
Reagan Knew the Art of the Trade Deal Better
In 1979, Governor Ronald Reagan was getting ready for his third presidential campaign, having mounted a late challenge to Nixon in 1968 and directly challenging Ford in 1976. The reality […]
Century-Old Anchor: The Cost of Keeping Up with the Jones Act
Imagine that you wanted to do some grocery shopping. To do so, you drive your car from your house not to the grocery store, but to a parking lot miles […]
Tariffs are Pushing Our Neighbors – and Prosperity – Away
Imagine that a longtime friend complains that you’ve repeatedly tracked mud into his house and threatens to trash your house in return. You endeavor to wipe your feet, perhaps even […]
DOGE Can Cut Spending, But Real Reform Must Curb Government’s Scope
Examples of government waste are a dime a dozen these days. From the debacles over the $640 toilet seats in the Pentagon and the Air Force’s $1,300 coffee mugs and […]
Understanding Trade Balances and What to Do About Them
Prior to 1976, the United States experienced modest trade surpluses. Since then, the US has seen nothing but trade deficits.
An External Revenue Service?
President-elect Donald Trump has floated the idea of creating an External Revenue Service, which he claims will be used to “collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from […]
