Washington, DC—The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Gary Clyde Hufbauer, nonresident senior fellow and former Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, on November 4, 2026.
"Gary was an extraordinary scholar and person. As one of the Institute's cornerstone senior fellows, he helped make PIIE what it became from its earliest days and contributed immeasurably to its intellectual legacy, its policy impact, and its international reputation. His pioneering work on international trade, tariffs, free trade agreements (notably work on the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA]), economic sanctions, corporate taxation and so much more influenced generations of scholars and policymakers. Equally important, Gary embodied so much of the spirit of the Institute—intellectual engagement, passion to understand and improve the policy world, independence, collegiality, and a deep commitment to bringing economic research to bear on the world's most pressing policy challenges," said PIIE president Adam S. Posen.
Hufbauer was the Institute's Reginald Jones Senior Fellow from 1992 to January 2018 and had earlier served as a PIIE senior fellow from 1981 to 1985. He was previously the Maurice Greenberg Chair and Director of Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (1996–98), the Marcus Wallenberg Professor of International Finance Diplomacy at Georgetown University (1985–92), deputy director of the International Law Institute at Georgetown University (1979–81), deputy assistant secretary for international trade and investment policy at the US Treasury (1977–79), and director of the international tax staff at the Treasury (1974–76).
Hufbauer wrote extensively on international trade, investment, and tax issues. His many books include Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, NAFTA Revisited, and Bridging the Pacific. He continued to publish at PIIE until his final weeks, most recently on the Trump administration's tariff policies.
Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Media Contact
Carlos Gomez, PIIE Media Relations and Outreach Director, [email protected]
About PIIE
The Peterson Institute for International Economics is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening prosperity and human welfare in the global economy through expert analysis and practical policy solutions.