David Autor, an MIT economist, has significantly shifted views on free trade's impact on American workers. He co-authored a study revealing that Chinese imports led to approximately 2 million job losses in the U.S., which fueled the emergence of President Trump's trade war narrative. As Trump imposes significant tariffs on Chinese goods, Autor contemplates whether these tariff strategies, while protective in intent, may ultimately worsen the situation for American labor. The article captures Autor's examination of the balance between protecting jobs and the risks associated with misguided tariff policies.
Donald Trump's trade war with China highlights how free trade has negatively impacted American workers, but the current approach to tariffs may be even worse.
David Autor's research indicates that the 'China shock' resulted in the loss of 2 million American jobs, primarily in factory towns devastated by trade policies.
The rise in Chinese imports from 1999 to 2011, particularly after China's entry into the WTO, profoundly affected American labor markets and local economies.
While the old free-trade consensus is deemed flawed, Autor criticizes current tariff strategies as misguided and potentially more damaging to the American workforce.
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