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Why It Matters

Trade Agreements: Deal or No Deal

Why It Matters

Council on Foreign Relations

News

4.2876 Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2025

⏱️ 30 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What role does the president have when it comes to making trade deals? In this episode, we dig into the expansive powers of the U.S. president when it comes to trade. From unilateral authority to congressional oversight, we unpack who truly calls the shots when the U.S. negotiates trade agreements. This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, Why It Matters dissects the current state of U.S. trade agreements; what deals exist, which ones are under strain, and how President Donald Trump’s unconventional approach to trade negotiations is shifting the United States away from the norm.   Featured Guest:  Inu Manak (Fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/trade-agreements-deal-or-no-deal

Transcript

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0:00.0

Deal or no deal.

0:07.8

We have to win.

0:09.6

You have to make a deal.

0:11.6

It's America's game.

0:12.8

You know everything that had to happen without to happen?

0:16.6

Welcome to the show, everyone.

0:18.3

And today, let's talk about deals, specifically, trade deals.

0:27.9

As President Trump continues to raise and implement tariffs on everyone from our adversaries to our allies,

0:35.1

it's become even more important to know what trade agreements we currently have

0:39.9

so that we know which are up for renegotiation. We're at a crucial moment, one that could potentially

0:45.5

reorient or at least fundamentally shift the path of global trade. This could change the way

0:51.4

the world looks at U.S. trade policy. It could push allies to trade with adversaries and even lead to a recession on par with the Great Depression.

1:00.3

As CFR president and former trade representative, Michael Froman, said in the World This Week newsletter,

1:06.7

Uncertainty is upon us.

1:09.1

That lack of certainty now extends to trade deals, one of the pillars of global trade coveted by many U.S. partners.

1:16.6

I'm Gabrielle Sierra, and this is why it matters.

1:20.6

Today, we continue with our special series unpacking global trade.

1:25.6

So, spin the wheel, because when it comes to trade agreements,

1:29.6

there's no telling where the ball will land.

1:35.1

Enu, friend of the pod, welcome back to Why It Matters.

1:39.8

It is fantastic to be here. Thanks for inviting me.

1:44.0

This is Enumannic. She's a fellow for trade policy here at CFR.

...

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