Bloomberg Surveillance · Tuesday, June 30, 2026
David Weston reports that Paul Krugman is uncomfortable with the current tariff situation, especially concerning automobiles, despite acknowledging the need for protective tariffs against China to preserve the US auto industry. Krugman, a proponent of free trade, finds the current stance problematic.
“Well, well, I think that may be a little too much, but it was interesting. He said he was actually uncomfortable with where he is when it comes particularly with automobiles on tariffs, because he would like to be a free trader, and he said he and other people he knows are very uncomfortable.”
“He thinks that not sustain at this point. Given what China is doing. There have to be some sort of protective tariffs or we will just lose our auto industry.”