David Sacks: The Decades-Long Bipartisan Consensus on Free Trade was a Mistake David Sacks on E223: "We've had a bipartisan consensus in Washington for decades that unfettered free trade is a good thing." "No matter how big our trade deficits got, no matter how rich and powerful China got,... no matter how unfair the trade practices got, no matter how many millions of our jobs in factories got exported overseas, this has been the bipartisan consensus in Washington." "And Larry, you're right that it started before the Clinton administration, and the George W. Bush administration definitely accelerated it." "But there has absolutely been a bipartisan consensus in Washington that this sort of unfettered free trade policy was good for the country." "Now, how do you change that? You can nitpick this and you can make all the process objections you want, but Donald Trump has changed the conversation." "He was one of the few people, one the few public figures in America who was right about this." "That throwing open our markets to these foreign products without thinking about the consequences was a mistake." "I think most people today would say he was right about this."show more

@DavidSacks This was an appallingly bad podcast. I listened to the whole of it in horror and digust. The level of mental gymnastics Sacks and Chamath went to to defend Trump's policies was sickening. The fact that their points were mostly undermined a day later just makes it pathetic.

The 12 Democrats who make the most sense for 2028.

@DavidSacks The US dollar is America’s most valuable export and the impact of having the reserve currency doesn’t seem to be factored into these calculations

David Sacks nails it. The bipartisan free-trade delusion gutted American manufacturing while China’s GDP exploded from $1.2T in 2000 to $18T today. The United States Reciprocal Trade Act (H.R.735) finally gives teeth to Trump’s strategy—Section 3(b)(2) authorizes reciprocal tariffs against countries like China’s 25% auto tariffs versus our 2.5%. Trade deficits hit $1.1T under Biden’s continuation of this failed consensus. Trump’s recalibration—125% tariffs on CCP abuses paired with 90-day pauses for allies—shows real leadership, not academic fairy tales. Washington’s corporate lobbyists lost; American workers won.

This was a fascinating pod. Larry was a rambling old angry man, didn't say anything useful. Ezra was a one trick pony who's only valuable input was on how Democrats hold themselves back from achieving anything at all. @Jason just interrupted constantly and contributed by repeating "unemployment is really low" about 8 times. @DavidSacks gave a real perspective when he wasn't being interrupted. And @chamath beautifully articulated his perspective, differences he's seen, and how Ezra goes out of his way to mischaracterize everything he possibly can. I enjoyed it.

@DavidSacks Sacks for the win! Also, Jason, learn to play moderator so Sacks isn’t interrupted by the opposing clowns, er, opposing debaters!

@DavidSacks Dude, we are at the receiving end of this free trade. We are buying stuff for free (printing us dollars out of thin air, literally)! US is the most prosperous country in the world. US workers make 20x those of Vietnam or Cambodia!

Everything in theory is right, it’s just the execution which is a complete disaster. It looks like a clown show at the White House. They don’t know what the hell they’re doing and they have no control or power over anyone. We haven’t seen one deal yet. Which makes me suspect if they’re even as one. Republicans need to lose the house in the Senate in 2026.

@DavidSacks Unfortunately we now have 3 besties and a mouthpiece for the administration. Sacks isn’t free to say what he thinks….agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter. In his current role he has to toe the line. It’s a shame. I miss having all 4.

@DavidSacks blocked; the most consistently intellectually dishonest humans on the internet

@DavidSacks This episode was very difficult to watch IMO. Like CNN, talk louder over who you disagree with. I am so sorry the middle of my sentence interrupted the beginning of yours, is the nicest way to describe this episode.