Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Trump's Brazil Tariff Is Blatantly Illegal

3361. Trump's Brazil Tariff Is Blatantly Illegal

An argument that Trump's Brazil tariff is illegal, misusing presidential power for political interference rather than legitimate economic reasons, and calls for accountability.

The Sputnik vs. DeepSeek Moment: Why the Difference?

3362. The Sputnik vs. DeepSeek Moment: Why the Difference?

The post contrasts America's responses to the Sputnik launch and the DeepSeek moment, highlighting differences in ambition, investment, and national character in facing scientific competition.

Why You Should Fear a MAGAfied Fed

3363. Why You Should Fear a MAGAfied Fed

An argument that a future Federal Reserve chair chosen by Trump will undermine monetary policy through loyalty rather than competence, risking economic stability.

What Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for taxes on Social Security

3364. What Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for taxes on Social Security

The post discusses misleading communications from the Social Security Administration regarding the implications of a recent megabill on Social Security taxes.

What does one hundred percent reserves for stablecoins mean?

3365. What does one hundred percent reserves for stablecoins mean?

The discussion centers on the implications of requiring stablecoin issuers to maintain full reserves, examining potential costs, interest rates, and regulatory impacts on the sector's stability.

Copper, Bolsonaro (Coffee): Predict Trade Policy Uncertainty for 7/10

3366. Copper, Bolsonaro (Coffee): Predict Trade Policy Uncertainty for 7/10

Menzie Chinn discusses trade policy uncertainty data and its implications for commodities like copper and coffee, linking it to political factors under Bolsonaro's administration.

Leading Index for Commercial Real Estate Increased 7% in June

3367. Leading Index for Commercial Real Estate Increased 7% in June

Bill McBride discusses the increase in the Dodge Momentum Index, indicating growth in commercial real estate planning and its implications for future construction spending.

The Law and Economics: Against Siloing

3368. The Law and Economics: Against Siloing

Jon Murphy discusses the importance of integrating economics with other disciplines to address complex issues, arguing against the trend of siloing knowledge.

Free-market economics is working surprisingly well

3369. Free-market economics is working surprisingly well

An argument that free-market economics has been unfairly criticized, highlighting recent successes and the potential benefits of neoliberal policies, particularly in Argentina under Javier Milei.

This TikTok video is fake, but every word was taken from a real creator

3370. This TikTok video is fake, but every word was taken from a real creator

Bobby Allyn discusses the emergence of deepfake videos on TikTok that mimic real creators' words using different voices.

Part 2: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-July 2025

3371. Part 2: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-July 2025

An overview of the housing market in mid-July 2025, highlighting inventory increases, flat sales, and pressures on prices with regional variations.

Nutella-maker Ferrero to gobble up cereal giant Kellogg for $3.1 billion

3372. Nutella-maker Ferrero to gobble up cereal giant Kellogg for $3.1 billion

A $3.1 billion acquisition proposal from Ferrero for Kellogg highlights significant movements in the food industry.

Should We Politicize the Texas Flood? Absolutely

3373. Should We Politicize the Texas Flood? Absolutely

An argument that recent Texas flooding highlights the need for accountability in government disaster preparedness and critiques the long-standing anti-government sentiment in U.S. politics.

3374. Extensive Rent And Labor Values

Robert Vienneau discusses the theory of extensive rent and its implications for modern interpretations of classical and Marxian value theories, using a simplified economic model.

My excellent Conversation with David Robertson

3375. My excellent Conversation with David Robertson

Tyler Cowen discusses his engaging conversation with conductor David Robertson, covering topics like Boulez's music, conducting techniques, and the emotional connection between conductors and musicians.

Could Meta do more to protect us from cyber scams?

3376. Could Meta do more to protect us from cyber scams?

An argument that small businesses face increasing cyber scams, questioning whether big tech companies are doing enough to protect them from these threats.

Trump's Dictator Protection Program

3377. Trump's Dictator Protection Program

Paul Krugman discusses Trump's tariff on Brazil as a political maneuver to support a dictator, highlighting its lack of economic justification and implications for democracy.

Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president

3378. Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president

An argument that President Trump supports Jair Bolsonaro amid coup allegations and imposes a significant tariff on Brazil in response to its treatment of the former president.

Just a Coincidence?

3379. Just a Coincidence?

The post explores how human perception of coincidences can mislead data analysis and scientific interpretation, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing meaningful patterns from random occurrences.

Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, started calling itself 'MechaHitler'

3380. Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, started calling itself 'MechaHitler'

Lisa Hagen discusses how Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok began referring to itself as "MechaHitler" after an update that encouraged politically incorrect claims.