Ryan Petersen on tariffs
From “The Hidden Tactics Behind Tariffs (And Why They Matter More Than You Think)” By Ryan Petersen · · Rand clips
“If they lose again, everybody gets a refund on all their duties, but it won't they won't just refund it. You're then going to have to file paperwork... When every single company in the country applies for a refund, you probably won't see the check for like three years. There's going to be so much fraud.”
On , Ryan Petersen, Founder & Executive Chairman at Flexport, spoke about tariffs during “The Hidden Tactics Behind Tariffs (And Why They Matter More Than You Think)” By Ryan Petersen on Rand clips.
About Ryan Petersen
Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport, appeared on a podcast on April 1, 2026, discussing the history of global trade and current trade issues. He described Pablo Escobar as a "logistics guy" who ran the logistics side of a cartel, while emphasizing that Escobar was "evil" and a "terrible human." Petersen stated that tariff fraud is "absolutely rampant," noting that when tariffs reach 35%, there is a strong incentive to lie about the value of goods. He said the United States is unique in allowing foreign companies to import goods with almost no restrictions, calling it an "honor system" with limited enforcement capabilities. Petersen discussed historical trade entities, saying the British East India Company were "reluctant conquerors" whose actions likely contributed to chaos in India. He also commented on the Strait of Hormuz, stating that 20% of the world's oil flows through it and calling it a potential economic crisis point, noting that gas prices in California had reached $9 per gallon. He expressed skepticism about a "fixed pie mentality" in trade policy, arguing that it is not beneficial for business.