Open trade promotes peace and prosperity. But in its abstract form, that clear principle neglects crucial complexities about how trade actually works in practice. As trade tensions with China intensify, America is learning this the hard way. In this episode, guest Samuel Hammond discusses some of those complexities, and what they might say about the future of our labor market and politics. 

Samuel Hammond is the director of poverty and welfare policy for the Niskanen Center. Previously, he worked as an economist for the government of Canada specializing in rural economic development, and as a graduate research fellow for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. His research focuses on whether cash transfers help reduce poverty, and how social insurance can complement free markets. This podcast discusses concepts in Sam’s essay from the Fall 2019 issue of National Affairs, “The China Shock Doctrine.”