Inflation Report for February

In February, Americans experienced relief from inflation as prices rose at the slowest pace since last summer. Consumer prices rose 2.8 percent in the 12 months through February, slower than the three percent increase recorded in January. Core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, rose 3.1 percent. The Trump administration is credited for the decrease in inflation. The report indicates that economists overestimated the effect of tariffs on prices. The Federal Reserve is likely to find relief in the data, suggesting prices are heading in the right direction.

Impact of Tariffs on Produce Prices

Target CEO warns of potential price spikes on produce due to tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, along with retaliatory measures from China and Canada. Prices on fruits and vegetables could increase in the coming days.

Impact of Tariffs and Trade Wars on the U.S. Economy

Many Americans believe tariffs will help the U.S. economy despite economists warning of the negative effects. Research on the 'China Shock' has shown devastating impacts on American communities due to increased Chinese imports. The China Shock economists advocate for greater government intervention in markets to support affected workers and communities.

U.S. Employment Report for January

Employers in the U.S. added 143,000 workers to payrolls in January, with the unemployment rate slipping to 4.0%. Economists had expected 168,000 jobs. Wage gains were stronger than expected, with average hourly earnings rising by 0.5%.

Biden-Harris Administration's Proposal to Tax Unrealized Investment Returns

The Biden-Harris administration's proposal to tax unrealized investment returns is met with criticism and support. Critics argue it would force people to sell off investments, while supporters believe it addresses tax inequality among the wealthy.

Ending Taxes on Tipping

Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are advocating for the end of taxes on tipping, but economists warn that without proper guardrails, such a policy could be easily abused.

Economic Policies and Presidential Debate

Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning liberal economists criticize Donald Trump's economic plans and predict potential inflation if he wins the presidency, contrasting with Trump campaign's claims about Biden's spending causing inflation. The economists support Biden's economic policies and believe they are superior to Trump's. The letter has been criticized as political 'weaponization' of economics.

Economic Policies and Political Donations of Economists

Economists warn of economic dangers of electing former President Trump, while supporting Biden's economic agenda

Top Economists' Warning on Former President Trump's Impact on Economy

Top economists warn of economic disaster if former President Trump wins election, highlighting fears of inflation. They had similar warnings in 2016. Despite their predictions, the American economy thrived during Trump's term prior to the pandemic.

U.S.-China Trade Deficit

Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the U.S.-China trade deficit was over a trillion dollars, when in reality it was about $252 billion in 2023, the lowest in 14 years. Many economists do not believe trade deficits are necessarily bad.

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Consumers and Industries

President Biden announced new tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese goods, including lithium batteries and electric vehicles. Tariffs are a tax on imports that could potentially lead to higher prices for consumers. The goal is to support U.S. manufacturing jobs, but research shows that tariffs can be costly and may not necessarily create jobs. Tariffs have become more popular politically, despite economists generally not being in favor of them.

Combating Misinformation with Nudges and Incentives

AI deepfakes played a role in Slovakian election misinformation, leading to a pro-Kremlin populist victory. Economists conducted a study in Colombia to combat misinformation with videos and personality tests. Results showed videos increased skepticism, while personality tests had little effect. Combating misinformation requires critical thinking and recognizing commonalities.