ECONOMIC POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
The Economic and Trade Policy Domain tracks and reports on policies that deal with budget, taxation, and finance issues. The domain tracks policies emanating from the White House, Congress, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Treasury.
Latest Economic and Trade Policy Posts
The Stock Market and Household Well-Being
Brief #92—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The Stock market has surged, in August, almost to its historic February high, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This in spite of the absence of a new stimulus, the bi-partisan strife in the capital, and the spike in the Covid-19 cases this summer. In fact, the market has gained 32% since Trump took the office of the presidency.
Fed Commits to Keeping Borrowing Rate Low to Stimulate Economy
Brief #91—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
In mid-summer, with the resurgence of reported cases of Corona virus, the Federal Reserve announced its intention to maintain its benchmark lending rate at 0 to .25%, until at least 2022.
Is Canada A National Security Threat? It is Under the Trump Administration’s Trade Policy
Brief #90—Economics
By Gwayne Gautreaux
Just 1 month after the USMCA officially succeeded NAFTA as the framework for North American trade, one of the country’s most reliable allies finds itself, once again, in the crosshairs of U.S. protectionist trade policy.
Will Trump’s Executive Actions Really Help Workers?
Brief #89—Economic Policy
By Rosalind Gottfried
Trump asserts that his payroll tax holiday will stimulate the economy, help workers take home more money, and generally be a boon to families suffering economic stress.
Growing Up In the Pandemic Youth Face Great Challenges
Brief #86—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
Today young people in school or entering the job market face enormous socio-economic challenges.
Free Trade: Recipe for Overcoming Covid-19
Brief #86—Economics
By Gwayne Gautreaux
While American-first has been a theme for the Trump administration’s foreign policy, its unintended consequences have certainly restricted the collective response necessary to overcome Covid-19.
What Is the Significance of the 32.9% Second Quarter GDP Drop?
Brief #85—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
The headline 32.9% drop in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter is stunning, but what does it actually signify?
Can the US Afford Not to Become a Nicer, Kinder Society?
Brief #84—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
Many feel work to be a citizen’s right as well as a personal source of income and satisfaction. Recently US unemployment has been as high as 14.7% though some experts estimate it actually may be as high as 20%.
Can Women Afford to Work?
Brief #83—Economics
By Rosalind Gottfried
There are more women working today than not though the peak year of labor force for women was 2000 (59.9%) down to 57.9% in January 2020.