Hassett Criticizes New York Fed Tariff Study, Calls it 'Worst Paper I've Ever Seen'

The National Economic Council (NEC) Director, Larry Hassett, has publicly criticized the authors of a recent New York Fed tariff study, calling it the 'worst paper I've ever seen.'

In an interview with CNBC, Hassett expressed his disappointment with the study's methodology and conclusions, stating that the researchers ignored key aspects of how the duties worked.

The study, which was published earlier this month, analyzed the impact of tariffs on the US economy and concluded that they had a negative effect on economic growth. However, Hassett argued that the study's findings were flawed and did not accurately reflect the reality of the situation.

Hassett's comments have sparked a debate among economists and policymakers, with some defending the study's methodology and others agreeing with Hassett's criticisms.

The controversy surrounding the study highlights the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of tariffs as a trade policy tool.

Sources

^[1] Hassett says authors of New York Fed tariff study should be disciplined: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/18/hassett-says-authors-of-new-york-fed-tariff-study-should-be-disciplined-worst-paper-ive-ever-seen.html