Tariffs, Trade, and the True Cost of a Pencil

What the Tariff Walkback Really Means

Dr. Michael Hicks explains the warning signs that prompted President Donald Trump to walk back some of his tariffs and breaks down what the likely damage the economic instability we’re currently experiencing means for Americans moving forward.

Tariffs, Trade, and the True Cost of a Pencil

Dr. Michael Hicks of Ball State University joins Nathan Gotsch to break down the economic ripple effects of new tariffs—starting with something as simple as a pencil. From global supply chains to skyrocketing input costs, Dr. Hicks explains how tariffs disrupt manufacturing, drive up prices, shrink the stock market, and risk triggering a recession. This episode digs into the real-world impact of trade policy and why even well-meaning economic interventions can backfire.

Understanding Tariffs and Trade

In the premiere of Tariff Talk, economist Dr. Michael Hicks joins host Nathan Gotsch to explain the role of tariffs in U.S. economic history, from the Great Depression to recent trade policies. They discuss the impact of tariffs on manufacturing, trade deficits, and why protectionist measures often hurt more than they help.

Preview

Introducing Tariff Talk with Dr. Michael Hicks, the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics at Ball State University and director of the school’s Center for Business and Economic Research [https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/cber]. Each episode, we’ll talk about how tariffs affect your everyday life. Whether you’re a policy nerd or just trying to make sense of your grocery bill, Tariff Talk is for you.