5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer
Trump's comment about how "dolls" will "cost a couple of bucks more" is the latest in a long trend of nationalist conservatives disparaging affordable stuff.
Free Markets
Trump's 'America First Antitrust' Policy Will Put America Last
The Justice Department is pursuing an antitrust policy inspired by Oren Cass and members of the New Right.
Senate Republicans Voted Overwhelmingly To Continue Trump's Trade War
Sen. Rand Paul's attempt to end the non-existent economic emergency failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday night.
Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices
"Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls," Trump said Wednesday. "And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”
Trump's Independent Voter Problem
Plus: A listener asks about possible book club books that are "subtly libertarian."
How Tariffs Could Cause Shortages in American Stores
A sharp decline in ocean freight from China during April is a sign of the supply chain issues that will begin hitting in May.
Could 'Princess Awesome' Defeat Trump's Tariffs?
Small businesses and a dozen states have filed a pair of lawsuits challenging Trump's authority to impose tariffs on board games, clothes, and lots of other things.
Trump's Tariffs Are Causing an Economic Boom for D.C. Lobbyists
More lobbyists are spending more money to influence trade policy. The swamp is having a great time during the trade war.
'Stop the Nonsense' With Tariffs, Says This New York Manufacturing CEO
Scenes from a trade war.
Trump Wants Lower Egg Prices. He's Also Putting Tariffs on Imported Eggs.
The White House's trade policy is totally scrambled.
Trump's Tariffs Are Starting To Kill Jobs
Goldman Sachs estimates that the tariffs will create about 100,000 manufacturing jobs while destroying 500,000 others. In Pennsylvania, it's already starting.
How Egg Prices Became the Symbol of Poland's Successful Transition to Freedom
In the chaotic early days of Poland's "shock therapy," free market reformers measured their success by the falling price of this one basic commodity.
Trump's Tariff Mania Shows the Folly of Central Planning
Even if Trump were a font of intelligence and wisdom (and he's not), no one person should be directing any country's economy.
Tariff Uncertainty Is Stalling the Economy
Businesses are reporting fewer orders, lower inventories, less employment, and weaker expectations. The only thing going up: prices.
The Masters Ticket Lottery Is Dumb
Plus: Paying college athletes, sports betting isn’t bad, and pickleball?
Markets Are Smart Even When They Seem To Panic
The stock market may look irrational, but it's repricing risk faster than ever. Sometimes, that's a feature, not a bug.
America Gained Nothing From Trump's Latest Tariff Stunt
There were no deals. There were no wins. There was no plan.
Trump's Tariffs: It's Not Just the Stock Market That's In Trouble
The president is raising taxes, hiking prices, and creating supply chain chaos. Congress should act quickly to stop this.
Sellouts and Selloffs
Plus: A deportation fight, pussy hats in Maine, antagonizing Brown University, and more...
Trump's Tariff Blueprint Called for 'Careful Planning' and 'Precise Execution'
With him in charge, it never stood a chance.
Yes, Trump Really Put Higher Tariffs on Israel Than Iran
And he did it after Israel dropped all its tariffs on American goods.
Trump's New Tariffs on These 3 Countries Look Particularly Foolish
What tariffs on Singapore, Brazil, and Vietnam can tell us about how Trump misunderstands the value of trade.
'Liberation Day' Tariffs Will Liberate People—From Their Income
Lower-income families who spend the largest shares of their income on goods—and who have been badly hurt from the recent inflation—will likely suffer the most.
The Senate Just Passed Rand Paul's Bill To Block Trump's Tariffs on Canada
The bill faces an uncertain future, but it is a faint glimmer of hope for those hoping to limit executive power over trade.
Javier Milei's Free Market Reforms Are Starting To Pay Off
As poverty and inflation plunge, Milei's reforms begin to reshape Argentina's economy.
Americans Are Deeply Skeptical of Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs
Polls of consumers and surveys of business owners suggest the White House has a lot of convincing to do.
A Trade War Will Reduce American Exports Too
It's obvious that tariffs will harm American companies that import goods. But the losses don't end there.
Peter Navarro Says Tariffs Will Be a $6 Trillion Tax Increase, but Also a Tax Cut
If true, then these tariffs would be the biggest peacetime tax increase in American history.
The 'Meritocracy' Lie
Two months after he was inaugurated, Trump has smashed many of the government's silly DEI rules. But he hasn't created a new age of meritocracy.
There's Nothing Novel About the DoorDash-Klarna Collaboration
Consumers have long paid for daily goods with loans.
D.C. Regulators Are Forcing This Rideshare Alternative Out of the Market
The D.C. Superior Court is fining Empower CEO Joshua Sear $5,000 for every day he keeps his ride reservation software operational in the city.
Why Some American Businesses Want More Tariffs
A quick lesson about concentrated benefits and diffused costs
Trump's Trade War With America's Neighbors Is All Cost and No Benefit
What did we learn from yet another escalation in the North American trade war? Not to do it again.
Tariffs on Imports From Canada and Mexico Are Still a Terrible Idea
And an increasingly unpopular one. Will Trump pay attention to the polls, if not the economists?
Florida Sues Target Over Trans Merchandise
Is Florida forgetting that the First Amendment applies there too?
Trump's 'Reciprocal' Tariffs Could Be Largest Tax Increase Since World War II
The specifics are still vague, but the White House is reportedly claiming that new tariffs will generate $1 trillion annually.
Why Are We Fighting?
When regulations limit what kind of housing can be built, the result is endless arguments about what people really want.
Trade Wars That Never Happen Still Have Costs
One CEO says the uncertainty created by Trump's chaotic trade policies is "reminiscent of the adjustments we had to make during Covid-19."
How Antitrust Crusaders Brought a Porn App to iPhones
The E.U.'s Digital Markets Act is making it easier for iPhone users to watch porn.
Javier Milei Ended Rent Control. Now the Argentine Real Estate Market Is Coming Back to Life.
"The effects were immediately seen by everyone and they were all beneficial," says the former vice president of Argentina's central bank.
Trump's North American Trade War Accomplished Nothing
Canada and Mexico agreed to keep doing things they were already doing, and Trump revealed that he cannot be trusted with unilateral tariff power.
Trump's Theory of Tariffs Makes No Sense
We can tax our way to prosperity, Trump claims, but we'll just…not do that, I guess?
No, Elon: It Isn't Illegal To Boycott X
Elon Musk sues seven more companies for pulling advertising from his platform.
Javier Milei Promised To Take a 'Chainsaw' to Argentina's Government. It's Working.
Inflation and rent prices are down, and the country has a budget surplus.
To Speed Recovery, California Must Let Markets Work
Anyone who thinks state regulatory agencies will help them doesn't understand how these agencies actually operate.
When New Jersey Hiked Minimum Wages, Fast Food Prices Rose
If politicians want stuff to be more affordable, they should stop implementing policies that have the opposite effect.
Everybody Hates Prices
How much should a Wendy's Baconator cost? Elizabeth Warren thinks the government should help decide.
You Don't Beat China by Copying China
Xi Jinping’s neo-mercantilist policies are destructive, not productive.
