All the tea in China

Jeremy Haft on U.S.-China Trade and Tariffs

Jeremy Haft, author of All the Tea in China (2007), has been critical of the Trump administration’s tariffs on China. In a 2018 NPR interview, he warned that such tariffs could ultimately harm more American jobs than they protect.

He pointed to the 2010 solar panel tariffs as a cautionary example. U.S. measures led to Chinese retaliation, which severely impacted the American polysilicon industry and caused significant job losses.

Haft also highlighted that China’s retaliation could extend beyond tariffs. For instance, by delaying customs clearance for U.S. exports like perishable pork, China could raise costs and risk product spoilage for American businesses.

In his book, Haft argued that China presents significant opportunities for American companies and that the U.S. retains long-term competitive advantages. He advocated for strategic engagement with China to create jobs and boost profits, rather than relying on protectionist policies.

Overall, Haft’s stance suggests that while addressing trade imbalances is necessary, tariffs may not be the most effective tool and could produce unintended economic consequences.