William Alan Reinsch

Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
William Alan Reinsch

William Reinsch is a senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Previously, he was a senior advisor at the law firm of Kelley, Drye & Warren and served for 15 years as president of the National Foreign Trade Council, which represents multinational companies on international trade and tax policy issues. From 2001 to 2016, he concurrently served as a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, teaching a course in trade policy and politics. Reinsch also served as the under secretary of commerce for export administration during the Clinton administration. Prior to that, he spent 20 years on Capitol Hill, most of them as senior legislative assistant to the late senator John Heinz (R-PA) and subsequently to Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV). He holds a BA and an MA in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies respectively.

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William Alan Reinsch's Reports

Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Insights into the “Pay Now, Argue Later” Mechanism

The “pay now, argue later” tax administration scheme requires taxpayers to settle tax obligations before filing a complaint, which can introduce uncertainty and financial strain for investors, potentially discouraging both expansion and long-term investment.

Report by William Alan Reinsch and Thibault Denamiel — May 20, 2026

William Alan Reinsch’s Commentary

Photo: Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua/Getty Images

Photo: Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua/Getty Images

Litigation Review

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch outlines the outstanding lawsuits against the Trump administration's tariffs.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — August 12, 2026

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Featured Podcast

The Trade Guys

The Trade Guys

Trade experts Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch break down the buzz around trade, how it affects policy, and how it impacts your day-to-day. The Trade Guys is hosted every week by H. Andrew Schwartz at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

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Litigation Review

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch outlines the outstanding lawsuits against the Trump administration's tariffs.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — August 12, 2026

The Trade Guys

Senate Farm Bill, Currency Markets, and Forced Labor

Bill and Scott break down the trade provisions of the Senate Farm Bill, the U.S.-Japan intervention in currency markets, and the Trump administration's latest enforcement actions targeting goods linked to forced labor.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — August 10, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys

The People Are Restless

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch argues that there is growing congressional and labor opposition to the Trump administration's use of tariffs.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — August 5, 2026

The Trade Guys

Tariffs, Tariffs, Tariffs: Sections 338 & 301 and the Russia Sanctions Bill

Bill and Scott discuss the Trump administration's proposed new tariffs on Canada under Section 338, the implementation of Section 301 tariffs on more than 80 countries, and the Russia Sanctions Bill currently making its way through Congress.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — August 3, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys

Tariff Follies Scene 47

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch provides an assessment of the Trump administration's trade policy: its objectives, implementation, and evolution.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — July 29, 2026

Section 232 Explained

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch explains how Section 232 national security investigations have become popular trade tool of the Trump administration, arguing that while some tariffs are difficult to justify, recent decisions suggest a more selective approach to their use.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — July 22, 2026

The Trade Guys

Dan Anthony on Tariffs and Small Businesses

Bill and Scott welcome Dan Anthony, president of Trade Partnership Worldwide, to discuss recent tariffs and their impact on small businesses.

Podcast Episode by Scott Miller and William Alan Reinsch — July 20, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys
35 West

USMCA Review Deadline

Diego Marroquín Bitar is joined by the Trade Guys to discuss the U.S. decision not to renew and the future of the USMCA.

Podcast Episode by Diego Marroquín Bitar, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — July 17, 2026

CSIS 35 West

The Trade Transparency Challenge

In this week's column, Bill Reinsch explores how growing demands for trade transparency are reshaping customs, supply chains, and compliance, with implications for businesses, consumers, and global commerce.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — July 15, 2026

The Trade Guys

Section 301 Tariffs and Digital Services Taxes in Europe

Bill and Scott unpack the latest developments around the Trump administration's Section 301 tariffs and take a look at the state of digital services taxes in Europe following President Trump's recent threat to impose 100% tariffs on countries that move forward with those taxes.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — July 13, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys