Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

What Exactly Happened to the Dollar around “Liberation Day”: Illiquidity vs. No-Confidence

1061. What Exactly Happened to the Dollar around “Liberation Day”: Illiquidity vs. No-Confidence

The post examines the dollar's decline and rising Treasury yields, attributing these changes to liquidity issues and declining confidence in the dollar amid tariff uncertainties.

Growth Reliance on the Tech Spending Boom

1062. Growth Reliance on the Tech Spending Boom

Menzie Chinn discusses the dependence of US GDP growth on the ongoing boom in technology spending and investment.

Is America ready for a gay president?

1063. Is America ready for a gay president?

An argument that explores the complexities of identity politics in the context of a potential gay presidential nominee and the challenges faced by Democratic candidates.

Talking (Again) With G. Elliott Morris

1064. Talking (Again) With G. Elliott Morris

Paul Krugman discusses government shutdown probabilities and public opinion with G. Elliott Morris, focusing on the political implications of healthcare funding issues.

Schedule for Week of September 28, 2025

1065. Schedule for Week of September 28, 2025

The post outlines the key economic reports and indicators scheduled for the week, including employment, housing prices, and manufacturing activity.

What if local control can actually help build housing?

1066. What if local control can actually help build housing?

Noah Smith argues that reducing local control over housing can help overcome NIMBY opposition and facilitate the development of diverse urban landscapes.

As federal funds wane, NPR ruefully clashes with CPB

1067. As federal funds wane, NPR ruefully clashes with CPB

David Folkenflik discusses NPR's legal action against CPB regarding a significant grant for public media operations.

NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting clash as federal funding declines

1068. NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting clash as federal funding declines

David Folkenflik discusses NPR's legal challenge against the Corporation for Public Broadcasting regarding a significant federal grant amidst declining funding.

Business Cycle Indicators: Employment at or Below April 2025 Levels, Personal Income ex-Transfers Below

1069. Business Cycle Indicators: Employment at or Below April 2025 Levels, Personal Income ex-Transfers Below

Menzie Chinn analyzes key economic indicators, highlighting stagnant employment and personal income trends, while suggesting a potential economic slowdown ahead.

Do Rules to Limit High Government Debt Work?

1070. Do Rules to Limit High Government Debt Work?

Timothy Taylor discusses the challenges and effectiveness of fiscal rules aimed at limiting government debt and the compliance issues faced by various countries.

Fed today, Fed tomorrow

1071. Fed today, Fed tomorrow

Claudia Sahm discusses the challenges facing the Federal Reserve regarding inflation, employment, and the risk of political interference in its operations.

Radiologists are the canaries in a coal mine

1072. Radiologists are the canaries in a coal mine

Joshua Gans discusses the unexpected resilience of radiologists despite predictions of AI replacing them, highlighting the complexities of AI in medical diagnostics.

Ideas Have Consequences: Law & Economics Edition

1073. Ideas Have Consequences: Law & Economics Edition

Jon Murphy discusses how economics training for judges influences their rulings, leading to more severe sentences and a shift in judicial language and reasoning.

Q3 GDP Tracking: Movin' on Up

1074. Q3 GDP Tracking: Movin' on Up

An argument that GDP tracking estimates for Q3 have increased due to stronger consumer spending and revised data from various economic sources.

Tomorrow's Causal I Workshop at Mixtape Sessions, A Fight I Saw at the Patriots-Steelers Game, and Thoughts About My Pedagogy in My Gov 50 Class at Harvard

1075. Tomorrow's Causal I Workshop at Mixtape Sessions, A Fight I Saw at the Patriots-Steelers Game, and Thoughts About My Pedagogy in My Gov 50 Class at Harvard

The post shares experiences from a workshop, a Patriots-Steelers game, and a memorable fight witnessed at the stadium, reflecting on personal happiness and pedagogy.

Lerner Symmetry Bites

1076. Lerner Symmetry Bites

An argument that import tariffs negatively impact exporters, necessitating subsidies for farmers, illustrating the concept of Lerner Symmetry in trade policy.

Another Break Day

1077. Another Break Day

Paul Krugman reflects on his busy schedule and hints at future posts about Europe’s economy and personal experiences.

Personal Income Increased 0.4% in August; Spending Increased 0.6%

1078. Personal Income Increased 0.4% in August; Spending Increased 0.6%

Bill McBride discusses the increase in personal income and spending in August, along with inflation data and implications for economic growth.

My excellent Conversation with Steven Pinker

1079. My excellent Conversation with Steven Pinker

The discussion explores common knowledge, coordination, and rational agreement, touching on psychology, social norms, and the interplay of beliefs in human interactions.

Trump to place import taxes on drugs, home furnishings and heavy trucks

1080. Trump to place import taxes on drugs, home furnishings and heavy trucks

The Associated Press reports that President Trump plans to impose significant import taxes on various goods, including drugs and home furnishings, starting October 1.