Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Browbeating Trump’s Bete Noire into Submission via Trade War

3301. Browbeating Trump’s Bete Noire into Submission via Trade War

Menzie Chinn critiques Trump's handling of trade policies and their implications for the economy and inflation.

GDPNow Assuming No Import Effects: Still Close to Stall Speed

3302. GDPNow Assuming No Import Effects: Still Close to Stall Speed

Menzie Chinn analyzes GDP growth projections while excluding import effects, highlighting a near-stall growth rate for Q1 2025.

Review of the Strong Gods: Some Positive Notes

3303. Review of the Strong Gods: Some Positive Notes

Kevin Corcoran discusses R. R. Reno's arguments about strong gods and their dual nature, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging their dangers alongside their potential benefits.

OPM alters memo about probationary employees but does not order mass firings reversed

3304. OPM alters memo about probationary employees but does not order mass firings reversed

Andrea Hsu discusses the OPM's revision of a memo regarding probationary employees and the lack of reinstatement for those previously fired.

3305. High and Low Stress in the Workplace: A World War II Example

Conversable Economist discusses Oded Stark's analysis of stress management strategies in American and German fighter pilots during WWII and their impact on performance.

Soybeans (Again!)

3306. Soybeans (Again!)

Menzie Chinn discusses the predictive power of soybean futures prices and their relationship to spot prices, referencing previous research and statistical analysis.

Repeating a Historical Experience of Autarky?

3307. Repeating a Historical Experience of Autarky?

Pierre Lemieux discusses historical autarky, particularly in China, and contrasts it with Western trade openness, highlighting economic implications of isolationist policies.

Tuesday's Assorted Links

3308. Tuesday's Assorted Links

The author discusses various stories highlighting economic principles and their applications, including housing supply, tariffs, and market competition.

The CFPB drops its case against payment app Zelle, in another sign of a Trump pivot

3309. The CFPB drops its case against payment app Zelle, in another sign of a Trump pivot

Laurel Wamsley discusses the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's decision to drop its case against Zelle, highlighting the influence of Trump appointees on the bureau's actions.

American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite

3310. American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite

Scott Horsley discusses the concerns of American business owners regarding the negative effects of President Trump's tariffs on imports.

Trump Hates Canada for its Decency

3311. Trump Hates Canada for its Decency

Paul Krugman discusses Trump's irrational tariffs on Canada and Mexico, suggesting they stem from personal animosity rather than economic rationale.

Heavy Truck Sales Decreased 9% YoY in February

3312. Heavy Truck Sales Decreased 9% YoY in February

Bill McBride discusses the decline in heavy truck sales in February, highlighting trends and historical data related to the trucking industry and economic indicators.

Regime Uncertainty

3313. Regime Uncertainty

Alex Tabarrok discusses how regime uncertainty affects investment decisions, highlighting historical examples and current implications of unpredictable policies on economic stability.

DOGE recession?

3314. DOGE recession?

Claudia Sahm discusses the potential economic impact of DOGE on the U.S. economy, arguing it is unlikely to trigger a recession despite concerns about government layoffs.

U.S. stock markets plunge as Trump's tariffs spark fears about a trade war

3315. U.S. stock markets plunge as Trump's tariffs spark fears about a trade war

Maria Aspan discusses the decline in U.S. stock markets due to concerns over Trump's tariffs and the potential for a global trade war.

Current UK stagnation may have many causes, but one we know about is the UK media. Plus why the UK definition of a recession is no longer fit for purpose.

3316. Current UK stagnation may have many causes, but one we know about is the UK media. Plus why the UK definition of a recession is no longer fit for purpose.

The author discusses the inadequacy of the UK's recession definition and its implications for understanding economic stagnation, highlighting supply-side issues and productivity concerns.

Canada and China say the fentanyl crisis is only a 'pretext' for Trump's new tariffs

3317. Canada and China say the fentanyl crisis is only a 'pretext' for Trump's new tariffs

Brian Mann discusses how Canadian and Chinese officials view the fentanyl crisis as a pretext for U.S. tariffs, emphasizing their efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling.

Lawler: Federal Reserve Earnings Still Running Negative; No Remittances to Treasury for a While

3318. Lawler: Federal Reserve Earnings Still Running Negative; No Remittances to Treasury for a While

Tom Lawler discusses the Federal Reserve's negative earnings and the implications for remittances to the Treasury due to rising interest rates.

Trade War w/Canada, Mexico

3319. Trade War w/Canada, Mexico

Menzie Chinn discusses the implications and effects of the trade war between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on economic relations and trade policies.

Trump is asserting extraordinary power over independent agencies. Is the Fed next?

3320. Trump is asserting extraordinary power over independent agencies. Is the Fed next?

Greg Rosalsky discusses the increasing influence of Trump over independent agencies, particularly focusing on the implications for the Federal Reserve.