How Trump’s tariffs actually work on the ground

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Vox Media Podcast Network

Technology, Business

4.3 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 April 2025

⏱️ 68 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

One of the ways I’ve been trying to sort out the chaos of tariffs and trade wars is by talking to the people behind the software that makes the global trade system go. So today I wanted to bring back one of my favorite Decoder guests: Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen, whose software manages the logistics of moving things around the world, from factory to doorstep. We didn’t get too much into the numbers — those tariff percentages keep changing — so instead Ryan and I really focused on how this system works, how it’s supposed to work, and how it’s working now, if it’s working at all. Links: Flexport Tariff Live Blog | Flexport US tariffs: how Trump’s tax is hitting Big Tech and beyond | Verge How much will Trump’s tariffs cost U.S. importers? | NYT How much are tariffs on Chinese goods? It’s tricky | NYT How Trump’s tariff chaos is already changing global trade | Decoder Can software simplify the supply chain? Ryan Petersen thinks so | Decoder Why Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen took his company back | Decoder The U.S.-China decoupling arrives | Axios Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Support for the show comes from Alex Partners.
0:04.0	The market is evolving at a breakneck speed, and we're only starting to understand how disruptive
0:08.8	forces such as AI, cyber threats and tariffs will change the game.
0:13.6	The winners will be those who prioritize execution and know when to adapt, and for unparalleled
0:19.2	insights, they can turn to the Alex Partners Disruption Index.
0:23.3	Stay tuned to hear more about it later in the show. In the face of disruption, businesses trust Alex Partners to get things done, when it really matters.
0:32.0	Read more on the latest trends in C-Suite insights at Disruption.APartners.com. Disruption.aL.X. Partners.com.
0:43.0	Support for this show comes from Sophos. With Sophos, no matter your business's size, you get
0:49.5	enterprise-grade cybersecurity technology and real-world expertise. Always in sync, always in your corner.
0:56.9	Sophos' native AI technologies evolve with every threat, and their experts are ready 24-7, 365,
1:04.3	with their managed detection and response services to stop threats before they strike. And you can
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1:13.8	through the Sophos Central platform.
1:15.9	Don't sacrifice your peace of mind to grow your business.
1:19.3	Learn more at Sophos.com.
1:23.3	Support for this show comes from Degree.
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1:55.7	Hello and welcome to Decoder. I'm Nealai Patel, editor-in-chief of the verge, and Decoder
1:58.8	is my show about big ideas and other problems.
	...

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