3221. MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey
Mortgage applications rose slightly, with purchase applications increasing year-over-year, while refinance applications declined due to high interest rates impacting borrowers.
3222. How China came to rule the world of rare earth elements
Emily Feng discusses how China has overtaken the U.S. in the rare earth elements market, highlighting the shift in global control over these critical resources.
3223. Summer School 3: How government decides what to spend our money on
The discussion centers on how government prioritizes spending and the limitations it faces in financial decisions.
3224. Govt 3: You are what you pay for (Budgets)
The author, Robert Smith, discusses government spending priorities and the limitations faced in budget decisions.
3225. Trump announces trade deal with Japan, setting 'reciprocal' tariffs at 15%
A trade deal reduces the tariff on Japanese imports from 25% to 15%, as announced by Trump in a letter to Japan's Prime Minister.
3226. Trying to Soften Up the Federal Reserve
Timothy Taylor discusses the political maneuvering surrounding the Federal Reserve, particularly regarding its independence and staffing under pressure from the Trump administration.
3227. Bertaut, von Beschwitz and Curcuru/FRB: “The International Role of the U.S. Dollar – 2025 Edition”
An argument that the U.S. dollar's international role is influenced by fiscal outlook, tariffs, and geopolitical factors, with a focus on recent economic uncertainties and sanctions.
3228. Be Glad It Isn’t Free
Kevin Corcoran discusses the value of paying for services, emphasizing how fees can enhance efficiency and gratitude for resources, rather than making them free for all.
3229. Carmakers are feeling tariff pain: GM is the 2nd company to take a hit to profits
Camila Domonoske discusses how tariffs have significantly impacted GM's profits, costing the company $1.1 billion and lowering its profit margin.
3230. President Trump indicates he'll let Fed Chair Jerome Powell serve out his term
The post discusses President Trump's indication that he might permit Jerome Powell to finish his term as Federal Reserve Chair amidst ongoing criticism.
3231. Tuesday's Assorted Links
The author discusses various economic stories, including Delta's pricing strategies, tariffs on orange juice, and job prospects in smaller metros.
3232. How Much Longer Can We Trust Our Economic Statistics?
Concerns are raised about the reliability of economic statistics due to funding cuts and potential political motivations affecting data collection and measurement.
3233. Goss(ery) Confusion
Alex Tabarrok critiques Zephyr Teachout's op-ed on grocery prices, arguing that her claims about market power and pricing are economically flawed.
3234. Gross(ery) Confusion
Alex Tabarrok critiques Zephyr Teachout's op-ed on grocery prices, arguing that her claims about market power and pricing are economically flawed.
3235. AIs and Spontaneous Order
Alex Tabarrok discusses the limitations of AI in replicating market dynamics and emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial actions in price formation within the economy.
3236. 2025 Northwestern Main and Advanced Causal Inference Workshops
The post details upcoming workshops on causal inference at Northwestern University, highlighting their focus on research design and featuring prominent speakers in the field.
3237. Has Brazil Invented the Future of Money?
Paul Krugman discusses Brazil's advancements in digital currency and contrasts them with U.S. political resistance to similar innovations like central bank digital currency.
3238. NPR news chief announces she's leaving days after Congress kills federal funding
David Folkenflik reports on NPR newsroom chief Edith Chapin's departure following Congress's decision to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting.
3239. The anti-immigration backlash comes to Japan
Noah Smith discusses the rise of anti-immigration sentiment in Japan, highlighting the emergence of a right-wing populist party and its impact on politics and society.
3240. California Home Sales Down Slightly YoY in June
Bill McBride discusses California's home sales data for June, noting a slight year-over-year decline despite a monthly rebound in sales activity.