Economic Policy

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on April 9, 2025.

Trump’s Economic Advisers Are Suddenly Trying to Act Normal Trump’s Economic Advisers Are Suddenly Trying to Act Normal

After global panic over the president’s trade proposals, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is downplaying his boss’s bluster.

Apr 25, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

California farmers face an uncertain financial future as the Trump administration's tariffs threaten to upend fruit and vegetables exports of fruits and vegetables and increase prices of farming equipment.

Rural Trump Voters Won’t Regret Their Vote Until Democrats Fight for Them Rural Trump Voters Won’t Regret Their Vote Until Democrats Fight for Them

Taking away healthcare coverage isn’t just “morally wrong and politically suicidal,” in Senator Josh Hawley’s apt phrase. It’s also putting pressure on rural members of Congress.

Apr 23, 2025 / Erica Etelson

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025, in Washington, DC.

This President Has Many Puppet Masters This President Has Many Puppet Masters

Trump’s Weekend at Bernie’s White House is inherently chaotic.

Apr 21, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Presidential timber? United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain speaks to guests at an election-night watch party.

Shawn Fain for President! Shawn Fain for President!

Centrist Democrats hate the union leader because he puts the working class first.

Apr 18, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Trade, Monopoly, and the Fight We Can’t Let Trump Define

Trade, Monopoly, and the Fight We Can’t Let Trump Define Trade, Monopoly, and the Fight We Can’t Let Trump Define

Tariffs and trade are not side issues, but a central front in the battle against monopoly power—and for self-government.

Apr 17, 2025 / Zephyr Teachout

The Bank of China on April 10, 2025, in New York City. US stocks tumbled as investors assessed the worsening trade war with China.

Trump’s Tariff Shock and the China Supply Chain Trump’s Tariff Shock and the China Supply Chain

We are now in a trade war with China, and the only question is: How long before Trump (and America) blink?

Apr 16, 2025 / James K. Galbraith

Employees and supporters protest outside the headquarters for United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Monday, February 3, 2025, after Elon Musk posted on social media that he and President Donald Trump would shut down the agency.

Elon Musk Has No Idea How USAID Works. This Former Staffer Knows. Elon Musk Has No Idea How USAID Works. This Former Staffer Knows.

USAID programs demonstrate a moral commitment that Americans today urgently need to preserve, not destroy.

Apr 15, 2025 / Arnold Isaacs

A screen displays financial news on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Bond Vigilantes Are Now the Unchallenged Kings Thanks to a Feckless Congress and Reckless Trump Bond Vigilantes Are Now the Unchallenged Kings Thanks to a Feckless Congress and Reckless Trump

A president who bullies Congress kowtows to the bond market.

Apr 11, 2025 / Jeet Heer

President Donald Trump, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R), speaks during a cabinet meeting on April 10, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Were They “Getting Yippy” or Was Trump Manipulating the Market? Were They “Getting Yippy” or Was Trump Manipulating the Market?

I don’t know exactly what went down in the hours before Trump publicly announced a “pause” on tariffs, but it merits investigation.

Apr 10, 2025 / Sasha Abramsky

A MAGA hat on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, April 7, 2025.

A Trade Catastrophe Could Be the Thing That Finally Tears the GOP Apart A Trade Catastrophe Could Be the Thing That Finally Tears the GOP Apart

The fallout from Trump’s tariff plans has pitted the Republican financial elite against MAGA culture warriors in a way that threatens to split the coalition.

Apr 10, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

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