Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Trump floats firing the Federal Reserve chair as White House criticism boils

3301. Trump floats firing the Federal Reserve chair as White House criticism boils

Deepa Shivaram discusses President Trump's comments on potentially firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell amid growing criticism from the White House.

The alternative to rage bait

3302. The alternative to rage bait

An argument that awe can effectively engage audiences in libertarian discourse, serving as a healthier alternative to the prevalent use of anger and outrage in communication.

Tradeoffs of Lower Fertility Rates

3303. Tradeoffs of Lower Fertility Rates

Timothy Taylor discusses the implications of declining fertility rates on global population dynamics, economic growth, and government finances.

3304. Fed's Beige Book: "Economic activity increased slightly"

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

“Trade War” as a Contradiction in Terms

3305. “Trade War” as a Contradiction in Terms

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

Hawks, Doves and Lapdogs

3306. Hawks, Doves and Lapdogs

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

Industrial Production Increased 0.3% in June

3307. Industrial Production Increased 0.3% in June

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

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

3308. The economy is turbulent for influencers, too — here's how you might see it online

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

Trump is enabling Chinese power

3309. Trump is enabling Chinese power

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

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

3310. Senate set to debate cuts to NPR today. And, the effects of tariffs on inflation

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

MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

3311. MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

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.

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

3312. The story of China and Hollywood's big-screen romance

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

Summer School 2: How taxes change behavior and the economy

3313. Summer School 2: How taxes change behavior and the economy

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

[Rerun] Tymon Słoczyński, Econometrician, Brandeis University

3314. [Rerun] Tymon Słoczyński, Econometrician, Brandeis University

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.

Tariffs Foreshadow a VAT?

3315. Tariffs Foreshadow a VAT?

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.

Can the Financial Plumbing Handle Growing Treasury Debt?

3316. Can the Financial Plumbing Handle Growing Treasury Debt?

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.

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

3317. An Early Look at 2026 Cost-Of-Living Adjustments and Maximum Contribution Base

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.

Tuesday's Assorted Links

3318. Tuesday's Assorted Links

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

Discrepancy Does Not Imply Discrimination

3319. Discrepancy Does Not Imply Discrimination

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

For MAGA, Ignorance is Strength

3320. For MAGA, Ignorance is Strength

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.