Economy
Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs against other countries
President Trump is threatening to levy taxes on imports to match those other countries charge on U.S. exports.
Retailers including Trader Joe’s and Kroger have begun limiting egg purchases
Egg farmers have been plagued by widespread outbreaks of bird flu. Experts say it's hard to predict when the industry will bounce back from the illness' effects.
No relief: Inflation unexpectedly heated up last month
Inflation remained stubbornly high in January, as grocery, gasoline and shelter costs all rose. Egg prices saw their biggest price hike in almost a decade.
Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell says there’s no need to rush on interest rate cuts
Powell was also asked about the high cost of home ownership and President Trump's trade policies, but as usual, the Fed chair tried to steer clear of politics.
Tourism in New Orleans remains strong despite terrorist attack. Will the trend last?
The Super Bowl is in town, and so far, fears that visitors would avoid the big game because of January’s attack on Bourbon Street have not rang true.
Why economists got free trade with China so wrong
The "China Shock" is revisited, and it raises questions about why economists failed to see the costs of free trade.
Trump says he will impose a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports
Additionally, he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on "everyone" on Tuesday or Wednesday: "If they charge us, we charge them. That's all," he said. "Every country will be reciprocal."
Chinese counter-tariffs to kick in as Trump threatens more to come
The tariffs from China range from 10% to 15% and are applied to crude oil, liquefied natural gas, farm machinery and select other products from the U.S.
Employers added fewer jobs in January — but the labor market overall remains healthy
U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January — a modest slowdown from the two previous months. The unemployment rate dipped to 4%.
Here’s a Super Bowl riddle: Why are egg prices surging — but not chicken wings?
There is one economic riddle ahead of Super Bowl Sunday: The egg market has been hit hard by avian flu, but wings are abundant and relatively affordable this year. So what gives?
Waffle House is passing along the sky high cost of eggs to diners
Bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. And there may be no relief in sight
China targets U.S. coal, gas, Google as Trump tariffs take effect
Trump ordered tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico over the weekend. Canada and Mexico reached last-minute deals to pause those tariffs Monday.
Trump puts Mexico tariffs on hold for 1 month after a call with the Mexican president
US tariffs on Mexico to be put on hold for month
Trump used fentanyl to justify tariffs, but the crisis was already easing
The White House says fentanyl smuggled to the U.S. justifies tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico. But fentanyl deaths and smuggling have been dropping fast — and Canada plays almost no role.
Trump imposes new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China in new phase of trade war
Starting Tuesday, nearly all imports from Canada and Mexico will be charged a 25% tariff, while goods from China will be charged a 10% tariff.
Businesses, shoppers brace for higher prices if tariffs on Mexico and Canada imports start Saturday
President Trump renewed his threat to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada as early as this weekend. The move could raise prices on everything from gasoline to guacamole.
Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary is Howard Lutnick. Here’s what to know
The billionaire Wall Street CEO fielded questions about tariffs, China's AI progress, broadband access, allegiance to Trump and the revival of American mining and semiconductor production.
The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady as inflation remains stubborn
The Fed held interest rates steady as it continues to combat inflation. President Trump wants to see lower rates, but some of his policies could fuel more price hikes.
5 economic papers that lit up our brains — and what they say about our confusing world
We at Planet Money are constantly reading the work of economists and other social scientists to glean ideas, evidence and insights about the economy, and, more generally, the confusing world around us. Welcome to the inaugural installment of the Planet Money Econ Roundup!
In Las Vegas, Trump once again pitches no taxes on tips
President Trump's pitch to stop taxing tips is popular with everyone -- except for economists.
Experts warn about the ‘crumbling infrastructure’ of federal government data
Unstable federal funding puts at risk the government statistics used to track the U.S. economy and population, officials and data users warn. That's before any cuts by President Trump and Congress.
This economist survived a wildfire. Now she’s taking on California’s insurance crisis
An economist's harrowing escape from fire, and her big ideas to rescue California from its insurance doom spiral.
Why Trump’s tariff promises will be hard to keep
President-elect Donald Trump has said his tariffs will raise revenues, boost U.S. jobs, and help stop the drug trade. But some of these goals are at odds with the others.
Immigrants drive Nebraska’s economy. Trump’s mass deportations pledge is a threat
Nebraska is one of the top meat producers in the U.S. It also has one of the worst labor shortages. The incoming Trump administration has promised mass deportations on an unprecedented scale. We asked Nebraskans what that could mean.
China’s population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its economy
Rising costs of living are causing young people to put off or rule out marriage and child birth while pursuing higher education and careers.
Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary is Scott Bessent. Here’s what to know
Trump's promised tax cuts, and their potential consequences for the U.S. economy, took center stage at Bessent's confirmation hearing.
Inflation remains stubbornly high for many Americans. Could it get worse under Trump?
Consumer prices rose 2.9% in December from a year earlier, marking the third consecutive monthly uptick in annual inflation.
This skateboarding economist suggests we need more skateparks and less capitalism
A skateboarder presented an unusual paper at this year's big meeting of American economists.
NPR shopped for 96 items at Walmart to track how prices are really changing
NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.
China’s exports in December up 10.7%, beating estimates as higher U.S. tariffs loom
China has raced to fill orders ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs on Chinese goods. Exports have surged in the country since the pandemic.
U.S. stock markets close to honor former President Jimmy Carter
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will both observe Thursday's national day of mourning in a Wall Street tradition dating back to 1865.
What America’s top economists are saying about AI and inequality
Planet Money attended the annual meeting of American economists — and the most popular topic this year was artificial intelligence.
