On the morning of March 6, 2025, the 268th of "Qiushi Academic Lecture" of the School of Public Administration was held on the topic of Fiscal and Trade Policy in the Trump Era. Mark D. Robbins, Professor Emeritus of the School of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut, was invited.

Mark Robbins is also distinguished Professor of Global Public Policy at Fudan University, where his research focuses on public preference for taxes and government spending. He has served as Technical Advisor to the Debt Committee of the American Association of Government Finance Officers, and member of the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Government Accounting Standards Board.

The lecture centers on the social and economic ramifications of Trump's tariff policies. Professor Mark Robbins commenced by delineating the backdrop, explaining the basic knowledge of tariff and fiscal policy. Utilizing comprehensive and meticulous data, he described the booming picture of world tariffs and trade in recent decades. He also elucidated the president's legislative authority concerning tariffs within the ambit of US law.

Concerning the tariff measures implemented during Trump's first term, Professor Mark Robbins presented economic data and empirical analysis, demonstrating that the tariff policies have concurrently harmed the GDP and consumer welfare of both the United States and China. It is ineffective in addressing the US trade deficit and manufacturing job scarcity, while also failing to foster fairness in trade terms, said the professor.

As for Trump's tariff policy in his second term, Professor Mark Robbins analyzed the recent academic forecasts, highlighting that the tariff measures would exert a notable impact on US economic growth. More alarmingly, the tariff policy would also exacerbate income inequality nationwide. Finally, he made suggestions on optimizing tariff settings, stimulating consumption and investment innovation.

More than 20 teachers and students, including Associate Professor Li Qing, Deputy Director of the Institute of Public Finance and Public Policy, participated in the lecture. Professor Liu Peng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the College and Director of the MPA Education Center, summarized the lecture content and expressed heartfelt thanks to Professor Mark Robbins for his wonderful sharing.