Economy News
The Daily Signal reports on economy news with analysis and commentary on growth, recession risks, employment, and financial trends.
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- Opinion
New Data Bucks Conventional Wisdom on Free Markets and the Environment
Politicians on the left are pushing a radical “Green New Deal,” which they say is necessary to save the environment. It wouldn’t save the environment—though it would do serious damage to our economy. The surprising truth is that saving the environment and improving the economy are not at odds. In fact, new research from The…Patrick Tyrrell -
- Opinion
Podcast: What You Need to Know About Spending Bill
As the national debt ticks upward past $22 trillion, Congress is getting ready to pile on yet more debt as it considers a massive omnibus bill. We discuss with Heritage Foundation budget expert Justin Bogie to unpack the good, the bad, and the ugly. Plus: It looks like Republicans called Democrats’ bluff on the Green…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
Sen. Braun to Congress: No Budget? No Pay for You.
The U.S. national debt hit $22 trillion this week for the first time in history. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Congress are ignoring the law and their primary job responsibility by not passing a budget for the federal government. Instead, politicians lurch from one fiscal deadline to the next with no plan to control spending and debt….Romina Boccia -
- Opinion
With Deadline Looming, Can US-China Trade Deal Get Done?
Are President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ever going to make a trade deal? Can they make a deal? According to the White House, the two sides are still far apart on outstanding issues, such as fair access to Chinese markets. Unless a deal, or even an extension, is made before March 2,…Riley Walters -
- Opinion
Advancing Economic Freedom: A Core Mission for World Bank’s Next Chief
David Malpass, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next president of the World Bank, made a reassuring case for himself in a recent commentary in Financial Times. “The World Bank has the opportunity to play a key role in fostering broadly shared economic growth and meeting the challenges presented by the 21st-century economy,” Malpass…Anthony B. Kim -
- Opinion
The Real Harm Tariffs Are Doing to Our Economy
In recent days, reports have surfaced highlighting the potential long-term impacts of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration over the last year. Economic growth could drag and close to a million jobs hang in the balance if the trade disputes, particularly with China, persist. The Congressional Budget Office, in its annual budget and economic outlook,…Tori K. Smith -
- Opinion
The Difference in How Socialism and Free Markets Work in the Real World
If the future of the nation were a function of logic, then conservatives would have a very easy job. No debate would be needed, really. In the choice between the two competing models Judeo-Christian civilization has given us, with socialist arguments for “big government” on the one side and a market-oriented system that favors the…Sebastian Gorka -
- Opinion
It’s Time to Make a Trade Deal With China
As American and Chinese delegations wrap up trade talks Thursday in Washington, the official word is that U.S. negotiators have articulated where they want China to make reforms. Unofficially, though, questions remain over how the White House perceives the future of U.S.-China economic relations, and how this might upset trade negotiations. So where are the…Riley Walters -
- News
Small Business Owners Praise Tax Cuts, but Raise Concerns Over Potential Minimum Wage Hike
Small business owners voiced concerns over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s plan to repeal the Trump administration’s 2017 tax cuts and double the national minimum wage to $15 an hour in a media call with Job Creators Network Thursday. “The climate for small business owners have never been better,” said Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz,…Joshua Q. Nelson -
- Opinion
Podcast: The Trade Deal’s Overlooked Liberal Policies
There’s a lot to like about the new United States-Canada-Mexico trade deal (also known as the USMCA), says Tori Whiting of The Heritage Foundation. But there’s also some elements that should give conservatives pause, such as minimum wage requirements and liberal social policies on sexual orientation and gender identity. Whiting joins us to explain what’s…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Balanced Budget Amendment Proposed as Government Reopens
While federal employees return to work after the historic 35-day partial government shutdown, there is little being said about their employer’s climbing national debt of $21 trillion. Two senators are speaking up again about the problem. Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reintroduced an amendment to the Constitution on Thursday requiring the federal…Courtney Joyner -
- Opinion
Latest CBO Budget Projections Show Why Congress Must Stop Delaying Spending Reforms
America’s spending addiction is continuing to spiral down an unsustainable path, threatening to hurt economic opportunity and financial security for the most vulnerable Americans, especially minorities, low-wage workers, and women—all of whom benefit from the current strong economy. That’s the key takeaway from the Congressional Budget Office’s latest budget outlook projections, released Monday. The short-term…Justin Bogie -
- Opinion
It’s Not Going to Be Easy to Rebuild Venezuela’s Economy
The current crisis in Venezuela is having little impact on global markets. In fact, going forward, there is really little downside economic risk. A huge upside potential exists, however, if the U.S.-led coalition of countries and—more importantly—the Venezuelans themselves are able to exert enough peaceful and nonviolent pressure to force Nicolás Maduro to end his…James M. Roberts -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Socialism, Sweden, Minimum Wage, and Obamacare
Young Americans' affection for socialism and other government-run or mandated aspects of life stirs vocal opinions from The Daily Signal's audience. Here is a sampling. Write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: It is difficult to compare the U.S. to any of the Nordic countries, is my thought on John Stossel’s commentary headlined “Sweden…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
3 Ways Economic Freedom Improves Quality of Life
The Heritage Foundation’s 2019 Index of Economic Freedom has just been released, and once again, greater economic freedom has been shown to increase individual and societal well-being in terms of health outcomes, educational achievement, and clean natural environments. Economic Freedom Means aGreater Life Expectancy Life expectancy is an important measure of well-being. The World Health…Patrick Tyrrell -
- News
Seattle Couple Fears $16 Minimum Wage Could Doom Subway Franchise
When Heidi Mann and her husband Karam took a leap of faith 15 years ago and purchased a Subway franchise in Seattle, they had no idea that one day their dreams could be shattered by the city’s required increases in the minimum wage. Nine years later, the Manns bought a second Subway sandwich shop in…Ginny Montalbano -
- Opinion
Lawmakers Are Pushing a $15 Minimum Wage. Here Are 3 Disastrous Consequences That Would Result.
House Democrats are looking to double the minimum wage, with little eye to the consequences. Led by Virginia Democrat Bobby Scott, House Democrats introduced the Raise the Wage Act, which would more than double the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by the year 2024. Democratic lawmakers have long been in favor…Rachel Greszler -
- News
Trump Touts Low Veteran Unemployment Numbers
President Donald Trump celebrated low unemployment numbers for veterans Tuesday on Twitter while simultaneously taking a jab at the media. “Just announced that Veterans unemployment has reached an 18 year low, really good news for our Vets and their families,” Trump wrote. “Will soon be an all time low!” The president appears to be referencing recent media…Hanna Bogorowski -
- Opinion
The Problem Isn’t the Poor. It’s Young Men on Welfare Who Could Be Working.
Left-wing media stalwarts such as Newsweek, Huffington Post, and Salon launched a barrage of fake news after I appeared on “Fox & Friends” recently to discuss new Agriculture Department rules tightening work requirement on food stamps. Unfortunately, the now all-too-common disinformation campaigns from the left, distorting or simply lying about what our president says or…Star Parker -
- Opinion
Owner of Historic Boston Restaurant Says Minimum Wage Hikes Hastened Its Demise
Durgin-Park, a renowned Boston restaurant, has been around for a long time. It opened in 1827, when Massachusetts’ own John Quincy Adams was president of the United States. Phil Klein of the Washington Examiner wrote: “The restaurant, located in Boston’s Faneuil Hall, was an institution and tourist attraction, serving New England staples, such as chowder, shepherd’s…Jarrett Stepman