Agree with you that I wish Oren’s approach was a bit lighter. Seems like no secret that he hates Justin Wolfers’s work (and maybe Wolfers personally).
I think you also hit nicely on a key tension in Oren’s work: he is advocating for an “intellectual project” (i.e., reversal of the impacts from a decades-long unfavorable trade / industrial…
Agree with you that I wish Oren’s approach was a bit lighter. Seems like no secret that he hates Justin Wolfers’s work (and maybe Wolfers personally).
I think you also hit nicely on a key tension in Oren’s work: he is advocating for an “intellectual project” (i.e., reversal of the impacts from a decades-long unfavorable trade / industrial policy) that requires deep intentionality and coordination (domestically and internationally) from our leaders, yet there is (seemingly) less than zero attempt by the current administration to provide the long-term strategic vision of why America needs to (understandably) course correct in certain areas and / or how our best trading partners can constructively fit into that long-term vision. Instead, it’s just whipsawing disorder and confusion for all. So, Oren is sort of left holding the bag defending the actions of an administration that is executing (super) suboptimally on the intellectual project. (This is not to say that even with perfect execution it would work, but if you’re going to attempt it, at least do it credibly so businesses can plan, etc.) I’m curious at what point he (maybe) “breaks” from his qualified defense of his team. My sense is that it will be when the TCJA gets extended, further eroding our fiscal health…
Agree with you that I wish Oren’s approach was a bit lighter. Seems like no secret that he hates Justin Wolfers’s work (and maybe Wolfers personally).
I think you also hit nicely on a key tension in Oren’s work: he is advocating for an “intellectual project” (i.e., reversal of the impacts from a decades-long unfavorable trade / industrial policy) that requires deep intentionality and coordination (domestically and internationally) from our leaders, yet there is (seemingly) less than zero attempt by the current administration to provide the long-term strategic vision of why America needs to (understandably) course correct in certain areas and / or how our best trading partners can constructively fit into that long-term vision. Instead, it’s just whipsawing disorder and confusion for all. So, Oren is sort of left holding the bag defending the actions of an administration that is executing (super) suboptimally on the intellectual project. (This is not to say that even with perfect execution it would work, but if you’re going to attempt it, at least do it credibly so businesses can plan, etc.) I’m curious at what point he (maybe) “breaks” from his qualified defense of his team. My sense is that it will be when the TCJA gets extended, further eroding our fiscal health…