Santa Cruz, CA — Dr. Dante Di Gregorio, professor of management and international business at Cal State Monterey Bay, was invited to speak at a high-profile policy forum hosted by Santa Cruz Works held at the Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz, CA on April 2nd.

The event titled “Beaches, Books, Budgets, and Bots” featured experts on topics including climate, higher education, and economics discussing the early economic, environmental, and educational impacts of the Trump administration's evolving policy agenda. Notably, the panel took place just hours after a major federal tariff announcement, adding urgency and relevance to the conversation.

Dr. Di Gregorio, who was recommended as a panelist by CSUMB colleague Dr. Jennifer Kuan, brought his deep expertise in trade and global economics to the event. As the only speaker focused on economics and trade, he provided critical insights into how the administration's actions were affecting U.S. businesses and international partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Di Gregorio addressed the newly announced tariffs, characterizing them as a flawed approach to economic policy. While acknowledging that tariffs can serve a strategic purpose in limited contexts, he emphasized that the administration's sweeping, non-targeted tariff policies were counterproductive. "Tariffs should be applied judiciously to steer economic behavior—not blanket-applied in ways that create uncertainty and market inefficiencies," he said.

He noted that these policies not only raise prices for consumers but also generate chaos for businesses trying to navigate unpredictable regulatory shifts. "Instead of fostering investment in U.S. manufacturing, these policies are creating uncertainty that discourages it." He further noted, “No one is going to invest in building a U.S. factory under conditions of policy instability." 

Dr. Di Gregorio also discussed how the new tariffs undermine the highly integrated North American supply chain established through agreements like NAFTA and its successor, USMCA. "We've spent decades building a competitive regional economy across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Erecting barriers between these partners hurts all of us," he stated.

When asked whether the tariffs might be justified as a way to address the U.S. trade imbalance, Di Gregorio rejected the premise. "A trade imbalance isn't inherently bad," he explained. "We import more from countries like Vietnam not because they’re taking advantage of us, but because their economies produce goods we no longer manufacture here. And we benefit from that—Americans enjoy affordable electronics and footwear thanks to these relationships."

He illustrated this point with a real-world example: "Would we like to pay double for sneakers? Would Americans line up to work in footwear factories? These aren’t high-quality jobs that would significantly improve our labor market."

Rather than imposing broad tariffs, Di Gregorio advocated for a more strategic approach focused on key sectors like semiconductors. He pointed to policies such as the CHIPS Act as examples of smart industrial strategy. "We should be investing in building competitive advantages in high-value sectors—not punishing every importer with indiscriminate tariffs."

He also linked trade policy to broader threats to U.S. competitiveness, including disinvestment in higher education, reduced support for research and development, and restrictive immigration policies that limit access to global talent. "We’re undermining the very foundations of our economic strength," he warned.

At the conclusion of the event, panelists were asked to recommend a book. While others cited recent works, Dr. Di Gregorio offered a classic by economist Adam Smith. "It’s all in The Wealth of Nations," he said. "These are basic economic principles we’ve known for over 250 years—and we’re ignoring them at our peril."

The event, which included panelists such as Zach Friend and John McMillan, drew a diverse and engaged audience. Di Gregorio’s participation not only highlighted his expertise but also reinforced CSUMB’s growing presence in regional policy discussions.

"Our faculty are out there shaping conversations that matter," said Marylou Shockley, Interim Dean of the College of Business, who attended the event. "It’s great to see CSUMB represented on this level."

Dr. Di Gregorio’s presence on the panel and his thoughtful, research-backed commentary demonstrated the kind of real-world impact CSUMB faculty are making well beyond the classroom.

See the Beaches, Books, Budgets, Bots event recap here.