Recent Posts

Donald Trump, the novice protectionist

Sooner or later, and the later the better, the president’s wandering attention will flit, however briefly, to the subject of trade. So, let us try to think about the problem as he seems to: Wily cosmopolitans beyond our borders are insinuating across our borders goods that Americans, perhaps misled by British economist David Ricardo, persist in purchasing. Exactly 200 years ...

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There’s stuff to like in the Republican tax plan

With the presidency and both houses of Congress in their grasp, Republicans have a rare opportunity to make policy reforms. So far, nothing major has been done. On health care, the GOP failed to advance legislation. Now attention is turning to tax reform. Let’s hope the fact that taxes aren’t as much of a hot-button issue as health care will ...

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Trump’s change of heart on Afghanistan

In his speech about Afghanistan, President Donald Trump admitted that he once opposed the very strategy he was proposing. “My original instinct was to pull out,” he said. “I like following my instincts.” Credit where it is due: These may be the five truest words Trump has ever spoken. Harder to credit is his explanation for why he changed his ...

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