81. China's trade surplus surges 20% to a record $1.2 trillion, even with Trump's tariffs
The Associated Press discusses China's record trade surplus of $1.2 trillion, highlighting its growth despite the tariffs imposed by Trump.
82. Groceries Rose 9% m/m (annualized) in December
Menzie Chinn discusses the rise in grocery prices and forecasts from the USDA Economic Research Service, highlighting the impact on consumers and specific food items like coffee.
83. Bond Yields and Dollar and Odds on Powell
An argument that bond yields and the dollar's value fluctuate due to perceptions of Federal Reserve independence and the political landscape surrounding Chair Powell's tenure.
84. Gianluca Benigno: “Tariffs as National Security Tools”
Menzie Chinn discusses how tariffs can serve as national security tools to maintain domestic production of essential goods and address market vulnerabilities.
85. FTC accuses AI search engine of 'rampant consumer deception'
An argument that a company managing AI answer landing pages deceived users into incurring unexpected monthly charges, prompting federal scrutiny.
86. Tuesday's Assorted Links
Jadrian Wooten discusses various stories related to economic principles and teaching, including unemployment expectations, electric vehicle registrations, and a debate on remote versus in-office work compensation.
87. Trump is Venezuelifying the United States
An argument that political pressure on the Federal Reserve undermines its independence, risking economic stability and drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes' manipulation of monetary policy.
88. Closing out tabs across many devices
Scott Cunningham discusses his preparations for teaching, reflections on research, and various topics including AI, economics, and pop culture.
89. Avoiding the Resource Trap in Post-Maduro Venezuela
The post discusses Venezuela's need for institutional reforms and careful economic policies to avoid dependency on oil and prevent corruption after Maduro's presidency.
90. Gangster affordability
Noah Smith compares Donald Trump's governance style to Napoleon's, suggesting both exhibit gangster-like traits in their approach to power and institutions.
91. “Talking Heads Are Missing Labor Market Strength”: Heritage Chief Economist
An argument that recent employment trends highlight discrepancies between native-born and foreign-born workers, questioning the validity of certain economic claims and methodologies.
92. California fire victims say fighting with insurance companies has delayed rebuilding
Homeowners affected by wildfires in California report that disputes with insurance companies are hindering their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
93. What to know about Trump's ugly feud with the Federal Reserve
Scott Horsley discusses the Trump administration's attempts to influence the Federal Reserve amid an ongoing Justice Department investigation.
94. Wide Dispersion in Nowcasts and Tracking
The discussion highlights significant discrepancies in GDP nowcasts from various institutions and the divergence between employment and output indicators.
95. Some Snapshots of the US Demographic Future
Timothy Taylor discusses the long-term demographic trends in the US, focusing on population aging, fertility rates, and immigration's impact on the economy.
96. Offshore wind developer prevails in U.S. court as Trump calls wind farms 'losers'
The Associated Press reports on a federal judge's ruling allowing offshore wind farm work to continue amid President Trump's opposition.
97. Zohran’s high-risk, high-reward strategy
Nate Silver analyzes Zohran Mamdani's political positioning, highlighting his outsider appeal and high-risk strategy within the context of New York politics.
98. Trump calls for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates
An argument that a proposed cap on credit card interest rates is introduced amid rising financial burdens on consumers.
99. $240,000 in-office vs. $120,000 remote
A debate on job preferences highlights how wages reflect trade-offs between salary and job characteristics like flexibility and work-life balance, illustrating economic principles of labor supply.
100. The Ignominious Death of Drill, Baby, Drill
A discussion on the failed energy meeting involving Trump and oil executives, highlighting the impracticality of his drilling policies and the current economic realities of oil extraction.