tariffs

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Waving English and American flag
Image Credit: Martin Bergsma - Adobe Stock

This Should Be Trump’s Top Trade Priority

An agreement between the world's largest and fifth-largest economies will create a huge free trade zone, benefiting businesses and spurring growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Read More ›
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President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order on on the Administration’s tariff plans at a “Make America Healthy Again” event, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the White House Rose Gardent. (Official White House Photo by Abe McNatt)
Image from the White House at Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_White_House_-_54426179977.jpg

Tariffs Done Wrong

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Airplane Flying Over Colorful Cargo Containers
Image Credit: evening_tao - Adobe Stock

A New Era of Economic Nationalism

The United States was founded on Free Trade. And, high tariffs. Domestically, the United States had exceptional economic policy. There were hardly any taxes, and the currency was reliably fixed to gold. Trade was Free between States. With what I've called "The Magic Formula" (Low Taxes and Stable Money), the US got richer — even with high tariffs with the rest of the world. Read More ›
Donald_Trump_at_Aston,_PA_September_13th_(a)_Wikimedia_Commons
Image by Michael Vadon at Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_at_Aston,_PA_September_13th_(a).jpg

Trump’s Tax Plan Will Be Fine

the-busy-of-port-congestion-loading-and-discharging-containers-services-in-maritime-transports-in-world-wide-logistics-stockpack-adobe-stock
The busy of port congestion loading and discharging  containers services in maritime transports in World wide logistics
Image Credit: Idanupong - Adobe Stock

Rationalizing Tariffs

Economic Nationalism tends to boil down into two basic policies: tariffs, and limited immigration. Sometimes, in the past, it has meant currency devaluations, but today that is not really proposed. On a broader basis, it means that economic policy should result in positive outcomes, for the whole of the population. Read More ›
Chinese Yuan and US dollars on the map of China. Trade war between US and China, economic sanctions

Edging Closer to a Trade Deal

The United States and China are edging closer to finalizing a trade deal that should end the tariff penalties that are at the heart of a year-old trade war. It’s also hoped that the deal will include enforcement and penalties for China’s national security-related intellectual property (IP) theft and espionage, and provide structural changes that would end forced technology transfer and protect trade Read More ›

How to Forecast the Economy

Knowing that I am an economist, friends and acquaintances frequently ask me, “What is going to happen with the economy?” If I say with great assurance, “Inflation will rise 0.3 percent, unemployment will fall 0.6 percent, and economic growth will increase by 3.2 percent,” they will walk away happy, believing they know something others do not. Or, I can be Read More ›