Scott Lincicome
Role at the time: Cato Institute trade-policy scholar and commentary author
Condemned
Statement summary
Lincicome argues that the forced-labor investigation was designed to produce broad replacement tariffs and that its evidence does not justify the rates imposed.
“The findings were clearly predetermined. The methodology is thin to the point of embarrassment.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Here Comes Another Round of Sham TariffsOpening assessment after the paragraph quoting Rick Woldenberg; July 23 commentary.
The essay recognizes forced labor as a real problem before arguing that this investigation uses it as legal cover. Lincicome analyzes the report, the tariff rates and the risk of creating an open-ended tariff power. The essay predates the July 24 complaint.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Relative to the Section 301 forced-labor tariff policy, Lincicome expressly criticizes its design, evidence and remedy. His criticism goes beyond disputing a description of the policy.