Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
Episode: Tariffs, the Working Class, and Resistance
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Introduction
In the April 15, 2025 episode of "Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff," host Richard D. Wolff delves into the tumultuous economic landscape shaped by former President Donald Trump's policies, particularly focusing on tariffs and the assault on public employees. The episode is bifurcated into two primary segments: the first half features Wolff's analysis of Trump's economic strategies, while the second half presents a conversation with David Van Dusen, former head of the Vermont State AFL-CIO, about burgeoning resistance within the labor movement.
Part I: Trump's Economic Policies and Their Impact
1. Attack on the Working Class
Wolff opens the discussion by framing Trump's economic agenda as a classical service to the U.S. business community, echoing the long-standing Republican approach. He emphasizes that Trump's actions, characterized by aggression and a "take no prisoners" mentality, constitute a direct assault on the working class.
"[...] what the GOP, the Republicans, have been doing for at least a century. That's what this is. It's more of that, more aggressive, more intense, more. Take no prisoners, but that's what it is, not some detail that you get lost in the weeds about. That's what it is, an attack on the working class."
— Richard Wolff [00:20]
2. Critique of Market System and Tariffs
Wolff critiques Trump's interventionist approach, particularly the imposition of tariffs, which he likens to a regressive sales tax that disproportionately burdens the poor. He underscores the contradiction of a market system heralded by economists as a vehicle for prosperity being dismissed by a leader who claims it has "cheated" Americans.
"A tariff is a massive intervention. It changes everything. Every country, every business is recalculating now and finding the uncertainties we live in so overwhelming that they're kind of frozen and upset."
— Richard Wolff [00:50]
3. Fiscal Deficit and Tax Cuts
The discussion shifts to the fiscal implications of Trump's tax policies. Wolff points out that the significant tax cuts passed in 2017, which primarily benefited corporations and the wealthy, are set to expire in 2025. He warns that allowing these cuts to lapse would exacerbate the already staggering $2 trillion deficit, potentially leading to a financial crisis where the U.S. might default on its debt.
"If you keep spending the way Republicans and Democrats have done and you keep the tax cuts in place, we are due. This is what the Congressional Budget Office tells us, a $2 trillion deficit."
— Richard Wolff [09:30]
4. Global Economic Isolation
Wolff argues that Trump's tariffs isolate the U.S. economically, diminishing its dominance and inadvertently strengthening competitors like China and the BRICS nations. He highlights the demographic disparities, noting that the U.S. population constitutes only 4.5% of the world's population, compared to China's and its allies' combined 60%.
"The United States population, roughly 330 million, comprises 4.5% of the world's people. China and its allies in the BRICs now comprise nearly 60% of the world's people."
— Richard Wolff [14:15]
5. Decline of the American Empire
Wolff contextualizes the economic policies within the broader narrative of the decline of the American empire. He notes that as empires wane, the elite often offload burdens onto the general populace, a tactic he attributes to Trump's strategies.
"Here in Vermont we've worked very hard over the last five plus years to develop those relationships. We have good relationships with migrant justice representing undocumented workers here on the dairy farms here in Vermont."
— Richard Wolff [15:50] (Note: This seems to be a misattribution in the original transcript. Correct attribution should be checked.)
Part II: Resistance Within the Labor Movement
Transitioning to the second half, Wolff welcomes David Van Dusen, president emeritus of the Vermont AFL-CIO and co-founder of the United Caucus. The focus shifts to grassroots resistance against Trump's policies, highlighting an upcoming event aimed at empowering workers.
1. The "Becoming Strike Ready" Event
Van Dusen introduces the "Becoming Strike Ready in the Green Mountains" event scheduled for April 26 in Burlington, Vermont. The event seeks to equip Vermont workers with the tools and knowledge to organize effectively, build shop floor power, and conduct successful strikes.
"On April 26, we are all coming together here in Vermont for an entire day of training. We are going to have top notch trainers come in to talk about how to build shop floor power, how to organize a union if you're not in a union, how to build shop floor power, how to bargain to win, and how to conduct a strike and how to win with a strike."
— David Van Dusen [16:43]
2. Responding to Attacks on Unions
Van Dusen underscores the urgency of resisting the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle collective bargaining rights for federal workers. He delineates the administration's broader strategy to undermine labor rights, viewing it as part of a "neo-fascist" agenda.
"We are facing a crisis in this country. The American people in general are under attack and unions in particular are under attack."
— David Van Dusen [16:39]
3. Building Solidarity and Grassroots Action
Emphasizing the necessity of solidarity, Van Dusen advocates for comprehensive training and strategic planning to ensure the labor movement's resilience. He criticizes the national AFL-CIO's reluctance to embrace more radical measures, calling for a unified and bold approach.
"We need to be bold, we need to be united, and we need to do whatever it takes to win."
— David Van Dusen [16:43]
4. Long-Term Strategies and General Strike Discussions
Van Dusen references Sean Fain of the United Auto Workers and his proposal for synchronized contract expirations aiming towards a potential general strike in 2028. He views such initiatives as pivotal in reviving labor consciousness and action.
"We need to get into the consciousness of the American worker to show that things like coordinated strikes, withholding our labor on a mass and political scale is possible."
— David Van Dusen [25:19]
5. Alliances with Social Movements
Highlighting the importance of alliances, Van Dusen details Vermont's efforts to collaborate with various social justice and environmental groups. He advocates for breaking down silos within the labor movement to harness collective power.
"We have good relationships with migrant justice representing undocumented workers here on the dairy farms here in Vermont. A number of our locals will be going out and supporting their picket lines against Hannaford supermarket of their Milk with Dignity campaign on May Day of this year."
— David Van Dusen [28:16]
6. Call to Action
Concluding the discussion, Van Dusen urges workers across the nation to participate in the upcoming conference, emphasizing that the struggle against economic and political oppression requires widespread involvement and education.
"Please do an Internet search for the Green Mountain Central Labor Council AFL-CIO. You'll find a sign up sheet there. It is free to everybody, free childcare. And we want to see you there if you're union or non-union, we'll teach you how to form a union."
— David Van Dusen [29:19]
Conclusion
The episode paints a stark picture of the current U.S. economic and political climate, attributing significant challenges to Trump's aggressive economic policies and highlighting the resultant vulnerabilities of the working class. However, it also offers a beacon of hope through grassroots resistance and the revitalization of the labor movement. Wolff effectively juxtaposes the critiques of existing economic structures with proactive strategies for workers to reclaim their rights and influence. The conversation with Van Dusen serves as a clarion call for solidarity, education, and immediate action to counteract the perceived threats to both labor and democracy at large.
Notable Quotes:
- Richard Wolff [00:20]: "That's what it is, an attack on the working class."
- Richard Wolff [00:50]: "A tariff is a massive intervention."
- Richard Wolff [09:30]: "We are due. This is what the Congressional Budget Office tells us, a $2 trillion deficit."
- David Van Dusen [16:39]: "We are facing a crisis in this country. The American people in general are under attack and unions in particular are under attack."
- David Van Dusen [25:19]: "We need to get into the consciousness of the American worker to show that things like coordinated strikes, withholding our labor on a mass and political scale is possible."
- David Van Dusen [29:19]: "It is free to everybody, free childcare. And we want to see you there if you're union or non-union, we'll teach you how to form a union."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the episode, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the economic critiques and the emergent resistance within the labor movement as articulated by Richard D. Wolff and David Van Dusen.