Econ Blog

1421. Fed's Beige Book: "Economic activity increased slightly"

by Bill McBride | July 16

Bill McBride discusses the slight increase in economic activity reported by the Fed's Beige Book, highlighting varied performance across districts and ongoing uncertainties.

1422. “Trade War” as a Contradiction in Terms

by Pierre Lemieux | July 16

Pierre Lemieux argues that "trade war" contradicts the concept of free trade, emphasizing individual motivations over political entities in economic interactions.

1423. Hawks, Doves and Lapdogs

by Paul Krugman | July 16

An argument that tariffs are influencing inflation and discusses the potential implications for monetary policy and the Federal Reserve's credibility under political pressure.

1424. Industrial Production Increased 0.3% in June

by Bill McBride | July 16

Bill McBride discusses the increase in industrial production and capacity utilization in June, highlighting key statistics and comparisons to previous periods.

1425. The economy is turbulent for influencers, too — here's how you might see it online

by Kristian Monroe | July 16

Fluctuating tariffs and unstable financial markets are affecting the influencer industry, potentially signaling a new recession.

1426. Trump is enabling Chinese power

by Noah Smith | July 16

Noah Smith discusses how Donald Trump's shifting priorities may impact U.S. relations with China and Russia in the context of geopolitical tensions.

1427. Senate set to debate cuts to NPR today. And, the effects of tariffs on inflation

by Brittney Melton | July 16

The post discusses Senate debates on funding cuts for public broadcasting and examines the impact of tariffs on inflation.

1428. MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

by Bill McBride | July 16

Bill McBride discusses a significant decrease in mortgage applications according to the latest MBA survey, highlighting trends in refinancing and purchase activity amid rising rates.

1429. The story of China and Hollywood's big-screen romance

by Adrian Ma | July 16

The post explores the complex relationship between Hollywood and China's film industries, highlighting their historical ties and evolving power dynamics.

1430. Summer School 2: How taxes change behavior and the economy

by Robert Smith | July 16

Robert Smith discusses how taxes can influence behavior and potentially alleviate poverty in his blog post.

1431. [Rerun] Tymon Słoczyński, Econometrician, Brandeis University

by scott cunningham | July 15

An interview with a young econometrician discusses OLS models and causal inference, highlighting the quality of his writing and insights in the field of econometrics.

1432. Tariffs Foreshadow a VAT?

by Scott Sumner | July 15

Scott Sumner discusses how tariffs may lead to the implementation of a value-added tax in the U.S., potentially paving the way for a European-style welfare state.

1433. Can the Financial Plumbing Handle Growing Treasury Debt?

by Timothy Taylor | July 15

Concerns are raised about the capacity of financial systems to manage increasing US Treasury debt, especially under stress, highlighting potential risks to market liquidity and safety.

1434. An Early Look at 2026 Cost-Of-Living Adjustments and Maximum Contribution Base

by Bill McBride | July 15

The post discusses early projections for 2026 cost-of-living adjustments and the maximum contribution base based on current CPI-W data and wage trends.

1435. Tuesday's Assorted Links

by Unknown | July 15

The post highlights various stories illustrating economic principles, including tariffs, state economic growth, factory activity, and the value of college education.

1436. Discrepancy Does Not Imply Discrimination

by Jon Murphy | July 15

An argument that discrepancies between groups do not inherently indicate discrimination, emphasizing the need for further evidence in both wage gaps and political injunctions.

1437. For MAGA, Ignorance is Strength

by Paul Krugman | July 15

An argument that the Trump administration's budget cuts to NOAA undermine scientific research and public goods, reflecting a broader agenda against climate science and government functionality.

1438. Inflation heats up in June as President Trump's tariffs start to bite

by Scott Horsley | July 15

Scott Horsley discusses the rise in consumer prices in June, attributing it to the impact of President Trump's tariffs.

1439. YoY Measures of Inflation: Services, Goods and Shelter

by Bill McBride | July 15

The post analyzes year-over-year inflation measures for services, goods, and shelter, highlighting changes in prices and trends through June 2025.

1440. Planet Money Summer School tackles political economy

by Planet Money staff | July 15

The post discusses how the current season of a free economics course focuses on the government's significant role in the economy.