Trade & Tariffs: Everything You Need To Know; Song Reviews | Yaron Brook Show

The Yaron Brook Show📺 Live Feb 22, 2026Season 12, Episode 37Trade & Tariffs: Everything You Need To Know; Song Reviews | Yaron Brook ShowTariffs, Trade Wars & Economic Myths: Why Protectionism Always Fails (Plus Brutal Song Reviews)Are tariffs patriotic—or just legalized looting?Do trade deficits mean America is “losing”?Can tariffs replace the income tax?In this explosive episode of The Yaron Brook Show, Yaron dismantles the economic myths driving today’s trade wars—starting with the fundamental idea of trade itself and ending with a clear verdict: nothing good comes from tariffs.From Adam Smith to modern protectionism, from mercantilism to national security claims, this episode is a full-scale defense of free trade—and an unapologetic attack on cronyism, economic nationalism, and the idea that governments should control voluntary exchange.Then we pivot hard: fiery audience Q&A on Triffin’s dilemma, Kantian epistemology, Intel as a crony company, Ayn Rand, Jeff Bezos—and whether dissonant classical music reflects a composer’s sense of life.And yes—Yaron reviews everything from The Offspring to Johannes Brahms.If you care about capitalism, economic freedom, manufacturing myths, or the real meaning of “Buy American,” this episode is essential viewing.👉 Watch here: https://youtube.com/live/XRH-ZEJkkiw⏱️ MAIN TOPIC TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction07:10 – The Fundamental Idea of Trade20:05 – Trade Happens Between Individuals22:35 – The History of International Trade28:35 – Nation States & the Rise of Economic Nationalism34:40 – Adam Smith & The Moral Case for Free Trade42:30 – The United States & Trade Policy52:30 – Other Countries’ Tariffs1:01:15 – Subsidies & Government Distortions1:08:45 – Can Tariffs Replace the Income Tax?1:12:15 – Onshoring & Manufacturing Myths1:15:20 – National Security Arguments1:18:15 – Cronyism & Political Favoritism1:18:50 – Why Nothing Good Comes from Tariffs🎵 SONG REVIEWS1:43:50 – Let the Bad Times Roll – The Offspring1:48:10 – It's My Life – No Doubt1:52:10 – Hello Heaven, Hello – Yungblud1:56:25 – Winning – Neffex1:59:20 – Academic Festival Overture – Johannes Brahms💬 LIVE AUDIENCE QUESTIONS (HIGHLIGHTS)1:22:11 – “Pro-Tariff Arguments”: Trade deficits, dependence on hostile nations, lost manufacturing jobs—are any of these valid?1:30:19 – “Buy USA?” Why not just buy from your state—or your neighborhood?1:31:58 – Who Actually Pays the Tariff? (Hint: Not China.)1:35:10 – Mercantilism = Collectivism?1:36:32 – Do Tariffs Add Billions to America?1:38:12 – Why Does the Government Get a Say in Trade at All?1:39:12 – Triffin’s Dilemma & Persistent Deficits1:40:45 – National Security & Stockpiling1:41:23 – Do Any Leaders Oppose Tariffs in Principle?2:04:40 – Can You “Hold” Kantian Epistemology?2:07:06 – Is Intel a Crony Company?2:10:26 – Should Politicians Be Required to Be Educated?2:15:19 – Has Jeff Bezos Read Ayn Rand?2:16:32 – See pinned comment for additional timestamps#FreeTrade #Tariffs #Capitalism #EconomicPolicy #TradeWar #AdamSmith#Objectivism #Manufacturing #NationalSecurity #tradedeficit #mercantilism #tariffetrumpThe Yaron Brook Show is Sponsored by:-- The Ayn Rand Institute (https://www.aynrand.org/starthere)-- Energy Talking Points, featuring AlexAI, by Alex Epstein (https://alexepstein.substack.com/)-- Express VPN (https://www.expressvpn.com/yaron)-- Hendershott Wealth Management (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4lfC...) https://hendershottwealth.com/ybs/-- Michael Williams & The Defenders of Capitalism Project (https://www.DefendersOfCapitalism.com)Join this channel to get access to perks: / @yaronbrookLike what you hear? Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on new videos and help promote the Yaron Brook Show: https://bit.ly/3ztPxTxSupport the Show and become a sponsor:/ yaronbrookshow or https://yaronbrookshow.com/ or / yaronbrookshowOr make a one-time donation: https://bit.ly/2RZOyJJContinue the discussion by following Yaron on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3iMGl6z) and Facebook (https://bit.ly/3vvWDDC )Want to learn more about Ayn Rand and Objectivism? Visit the Ayn Rand Institute: https://bit.ly/35qoEC3Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/yaron-brook-show--3276901/support.Yaron is the executive chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and a world class speaker. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government, Equal is Unfair: America's Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality and In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. He speaks around the world on a variety of topics including the morality of capitalism, Ayn Rand and her philosophy, finance and economics, and the value of inequality.