William Alan Reinsch

Senior Adviser and Scholl Chair Emeritus, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
William Alan Reinsch

William Reinsch is 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: Ryan Anson/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Photo: Ryan Anson/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Double-Edged Sword of Semiconductor Export Controls: Electronic Design Automation

The Scholl Chair’s third report on U.S. semiconductor export controls argues that current rules push China to reduce reliance on U.S. tech by indigenizing design and services—ultimately undermining, rather than advancing, U.S. technology leadership.

Report by William Alan Reinsch and Altynay Junusova — October 6, 2025

William Alan Reinsch’s Commentary

Photo: JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images

Everything Is Connected

This week, Bill Reinsch describes how policy can have unintended consequences and the importance of having processes that allow for informed decisionmaking.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — January 12, 2026

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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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The Trade Guys

The Trade Guys x Simply Trade: One Messy Trade Year

The Trade Guys kick off 2026 with a special crossover episode featuring the Simply Trade podcast’s Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles. Together, the group explores what’s ahead for 2026, focusing on major global trade battlefronts including the Supreme Court, WTO, and USMCA.

Podcast Episode by Scott Miller and William Alan Reinsch — January 13, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys

Everything Is Connected

This week, Bill Reinsch describes how policy can have unintended consequences and the importance of having processes that allow for informed decisionmaking.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — January 12, 2026

A Partial Look Ahead

This week, Bill Reinsch looks ahead at three high-profile trade events that will anchor global trade in 2026.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — January 5, 2026

Is a Weakened CS3D Still Too Much?

Bill Reinsch and Michael Gary unpack the critical questions around the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D).

Critical Questions by William Alan Reinsch and Michael H. Gary — January 5, 2026

The Trade Guys

Chips to China, U.S.-Indonesia Deal, and North Pole Tariffs

The Trade Guys discuss President Trump’s decision to sell Nvidia H200 chips to China, the status of the U.S.-Indonesia trade deal, and North Pole tariffs ahead of the holidays.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — December 19, 2025

CSIS The Trade Guys

Everything Old Is New Again

In this commentary, Bill Reinsch looks back at past trade analysis that got it right and saw today's trade challenges before everyone else saw them coming, with takeaways for today's leaders.

Commentary by William Alan Reinsch — December 15, 2025

The Trade Guys

Tariff Dividends, U.S.-UK Pharma Deal, and Bullying vs. Persuasion

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott  unpack a proposal from the Trump administration to give a $2,000 tariff dividend to all low- and middle-income Americans. They also examine a new deal between the U.S. and UK on pharmaceuticals. Finally, we finish with a debate on whether bullying or persuasion is more effective in trade negotiations.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — December 8, 2025

CSIS The Trade Guys