Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – In a recent discussion on Morning News, Chief Economic Analyst Ed Burton reiterated his strong opposition to tariffs, arguing that they ultimately harm both the U.S. and its trading partners. “I do not like tariffs,” Burton stated plainly. He supported the administration’s decision to roll back tariffs on Canada and Mexico, while criticizing the continued 10% tariff on China, calling it “a mistake” that hurts both economies. 

Burton emphasized that automation, not foreign trade, is the primary factor affecting U.S. manufacturing jobs. “There’s more manufacturing, at least output today than there was two decades ago in America. There’s just fewer employees,” he explained, attributing job losses to technological advancements rather than international competition. He also dismissed the idea of trade restrictions, arguing that if tariffs made economic sense, they would exist between U.S. states as well. 

Beyond trade policy, Burton warned that China is making significant strides in education, which could challenge U.S. economic dominance. “The main goal of China, I think in the government, is to catch and beat us economically,” he stated, citing advancements in AI and STEM education. He urged the U.S. to prioritize education reform, stating, “Every single student can be educated, and we should make that our goal.” Advocating for more competition in education, Burton backed charter schools and school choice as potential solutions to improve public schooling. 

Listen here for the full conversation: