US Spends More on Computer Offices than Human Offices
US spending on offices for computers has now surpassed US spending on offices for humans: https://t.co/fQstRLnjUG https://t.co/LiT7OQpCcC
Hormuz Attacks Drive Soaring Tanker Insurance Premiums, US Aid Unclear
"Shipping Insurance Costs for Hormuz Passage Surge After Vessel Attacks" https://t.co/Aq3e4lGXyX "Details of a plan for the US International Development Finance Corporation to help insure tankers are still unclear." https://t.co/mC9xKl2B7o
Double Standards: Free Trade for Us, Tariffs for Rivals
Free trade for my inputs; tariffs for my competitors. A tale as old as time.
Tariffs Fail to Boost Manufacturing Jobs, May Reduce Payrolls
"One thing becoming clear: tariffs on foreign imports didn't result in an increase in manufacturing payrolls (and may have directly resulted in the opposite)." 🙀 https://t.co/zvrbKgPxg3 https://t.co/h5DLBYPjf6
US Lifts Anti-Dumping Duties on 13 Italian Pasta Brands
"The US Department of Commerce has cut anti-dumping duties on 13 Italian pasta brands following an investigation into alleged export undercutting, Italy's Foreign Ministry announced." https://t.co/2KrLcSuyUY https://t.co/7S8ssbunhj
Geopolitical Instability Acts as Economic Parasite, Raising Costs
Dr. Navarro is right: nations' "destabilizing behavior" boosts trade uncertainty and is a "a parasite on the global economy—quietly draining growth through slightly higher [] prices, transportation costs and production expenses year after year."
Gulf Oil Shock Drives Naphtha Prices up 50%
"Gulf oil shock deepens crisis for Asia’s petrochemicals industry" https://t.co/4C3WI6qHaW "Prices of naphtha have jumped by half since last month to $875 a tonne" https://t.co/rNT2eRMXls
Higher Tariffs Inevitably Drive Increased Fraud and Evasion
Higher tariffs have LONG been associated with more evasion (fraud, piracy, etc). That's why most fiscal/econ projections of tariff effects (eg, @TaxFoundation) account for some evasion/leakage. No surprise historically high/complex tariffs led to tons of fraud. It's baked in.
Government Policies, Not Investors, Drive Unaffordable Starter Homes
While Congress wrongly attacks institutional housing investors, my latest @opinion column explores several of the govt policies that actually increase US home prices and make building a "starter home" impossible today: /1
Factory-Built Homes Rise, yet Government Roadblocks Persist
"Bucking stigma, more places turn to factory-built for affordable housing" https://t.co/yeNauGByp5 As usual, governments stand in the way: https://t.co/MyFyCgTTjz
Honda Abandons EVs, Faces $15.7B Cost as Startups Surge
"Honda Scraps Plans for E.V.s While Start-Ups Forge Ahead" https://t.co/UTDXx2aZBk "Honda said it expected the cost of switching direction on electric vehicles to total 2.5 trillion yen, or $15.7 billion, this year and in years to come" 😲 https://t.co/4OREGNQjqN
Suspending Jones Act Could Lower U.S. Fuel Costs
"What the Jones Act does and how a Trump suspension could affect fuel prices" https://t.co/goGJwDm2EN https://t.co/s2CTtPeu6A
Misguided US Tariffs Spawn Costly Refund and Calculation Services
So, now I'm seeing ads for IEEPA tariff refunds and US tariff calculation work. On the one hand, the market works. On the other hand, this is costly and only necessary because of misguided US tariff policy https://t.co/nU32IBGoFO
Pentagon Threatens Blacklist Unless Company Alters Product, Violating Free Speech
"The Pentagon gave a private company a choice: change your product to meet our demands or face being largely blacklisted. Such a choice is an affront to the values enshrined in the First Amendment and those that the US has...
Treasury Confirms New Tariffs, USTR Prewrites Justifications
No suspense here, seeing as the Treasury Secretary already confirmed that these "investigations" will result in new tariffs. The only question is how USTR will justify the conclusions the White House has already written
Diesel Price Surge Forces Costs Onto Retailers and Factories
"Record Diesel-Price Surge Hits U.S. Truckers, Retailers and Manufacturers" https://t.co/5jBpvH4MCa "Most large trucking companies will pass the added costs on to American stores and factories..." Fortunately, US factories aren't already facing soaring costs, so it's fi- oh. https://t.co/ZU45kzcUbj
Blue States Stall Projects with Endless Studies, Not Waymos
Yep: "Red states get Waymos. Blue states get studies." https://t.co/NpcSYElH74 via @kelseytuoc "Time and again, when there’s a controversial upzoning or transit project, opponents will demand studies in order to delay or undermine important projects."
Globalization Remains Resilient Amid Bloc Formation Talk
Toldja: "Globalization is proving resilient" https://t.co/IpMqFYjhJK The data's "a counter-narrative to politicians and analysts arguing that economic disengagement and the formation of new, distinct geopolitical blocs are happening in any seismic way" Twas always a silly idea. https://t.co/UcJgPpaAFP
Remote‑First Policies Win Talent, Undermine Office Return
"The return-to-the-office trend backfires" https://t.co/iB1cPOgbRm "Executives do not adopt remote-first for public relations purposes — they adopt it to win talent markets." https://t.co/vlt8l58rp7
US Fertilizer Prices Surge with Global Market Trends
"Farmers Face Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices," https://t.co/CYP8u85BYC "Even when the United States is not directly importing fertilizer from the Middle East, domestic prices still follow global markets." 😲 https://t.co/5N5ApqoDhL
China's Export Surge Leaves Workers Facing Wage Cuts
Industrial policy FTW: "China's Tariff-Defying Export Boom Leaves Its Factory Workers Behind: Workers who powered a tariff-defying boom tell a grim story of falling wages and vanishing jobs." https://t.co/cIfJHANUgW https://t.co/ZIN1PXUzwE
Yamaha Exits California, Relocates HQ to Georgia for Profit Boost
"Yamaha pulling out of California after nearly half a century: HQ headed to Georgia" https://t.co/YKZQMRDhJ6 "The motorcycle and motorsports giant says the move is part of major 'structural reforms' meant to boost profits as costs climb — including pressure from...
Leftist Pro‑Competition Advocates Shockingly Back Jones Act
It will never stop being hilarious/telling that certain "pro-competition" lefties openly support the Jones Act.
New Risk Factor Makes Strait of Hormuz Too Costly.
"There's another big reason why shipping companies and insurers aren't willing to risk the Strait of Hormuz" https://t.co/vQRVNaMtNL https://t.co/xPjkCzHB0U
Repealing Jones Act Would Instantly Boost U.S. Oil Transport
"On the other hand, repealing the Jones Act, which would allow non-U.S. tankers to transport oil between U.S. ports, would immediately have salutary effects" 🔥 https://t.co/mIuRPyAKFY https://t.co/Rcxft259fv
Oil Surge Prompts Trump to Reevaluate Jones Act
"Oil Prices: Crude's Wild Day Has Trump Rethinking the Jones Act" https://t.co/YKhaomLkrd For the record, it's technically not "trutherism" if it's - you know - the actual Truth. https://t.co/7CZuzc3gja
Tariffs Incrementally Push Retail Prices Higher in 2025
"The Slow Climb: How Tariffs Gradually Raised Retail Prices in 2025" via @federalreserve https://t.co/HJiDIY3j8v "consumers are in fact paying higher retail prices because of tariffs" 😮 https://t.co/SbgM6kbcPA
U.S. Oil Intensity Drives $187 M Daily Gas Price Spike
"US oil intensity is twice as high as the European Union and 40% higher than China’s... That makes it harder for American consumers to shield themselves from rising gasoline prices... Americans are already spending $187 million more a day on...
Tariffs Linked to 240k Job Losses in Manufacturing and Transport
"Tariffs may have affected manufacturing employment, which declined by 119,000 in 2025. Likewise, the trade sensitive transportation and warehousing sector declined by 123,800." https://t.co/ed9bs6nNSn
Apple Shifts to 3D‑printed Aluminum for Greener MacBooks
Dematerialization: "MacBook Neo’s Manufacturing Involves A New Process That Saves As Much Aluminum As Possible, Now Apple Is Moving To The Next Step; 3D Printing The Same Metal" https://t.co/7YvmvjZD5Q https://t.co/Ft8yo52n3x
Sudden Guest Worker Halt Triggers Firm Closures, No Local Hiring
"The Effects of a Sudden Stop in Low-Skilled Immigration: Evidence from Korea’s Guest Worker Program" https://t.co/7CVAD5Zj6v "the collapse in inflows led to a significant increase in firm exit.... Firms did not respond by expanding domestic hiring to replace missing guest workers."
Trump Tariffs Stalled Job Growth, Raising Business Costs
"Job growth notably stalled after President Trump began his tariff barrage last April, which created economic uncertainty and raised business costs." https://t.co/jaNVkXohlg
U.S. Public Backing International Trade Hits Record High
American support for international trade is at an all-time high (and, no, not just among Democrats) https://t.co/QayxCkWNFn
US Beef Supply Relies Heavily on Mexican Cattle
"Texas Feedlot Operators Explain Why U.S. Beef Supply Depends on Mexican Cattle Imports" https://t.co/D3IHviRfRg https://t.co/fO9Ac9MceR
Customs Can Refund Automatically, Yet Reluctantly Delay
"'Customs does have automated systems to process refunds,' said David Cohen, a partner at Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg. 'Yes, the magnitude is unprecedented, but the tariff refund process takes place routinely.'" They just don't want to do it.
CBP Easily Collects Illegal Taxes, Struggles to Refund Them
It was easy for CBP to collect the illegal taxes, but it's apparently impossible for them to return the illegal taxes (with interest). Sure, Jan. https://t.co/t3ZvGLtijs
Blue States Cite Friedman in Landmark Tariff Lawsuit
"Twenty-Four States Led by Oregon File Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Section 122 Tariffs" https://t.co/SqGRbF04Xc "This may be the first time a lawsuit filed by blue state governments quoted Milton Friedman" 🔥
Delays in Tariff Refunds Cost Taxpayers $700 Million Monthly
"Tariff refund delays could cost U.S. taxpayers $700 million a month in interest, report finds" https://t.co/MHgXnrl4vk
Judge Sets Deadline for Customs Tariff Refund Plan
🚨IEEPA REFUND UPDATE🚨 "Senior Judge Richard Eaton gave government counsel until Friday to prepare initial ideas on how customs could refund the tariffs to importers, without them having to file a lawsuit." More, please.
CBP Admits Delay, Conditional Refunds on Illegal Tariffs
Here's CBP in a new filing admitting: 1) They're not voluntarily refunding IEEPA tariffs illegally collected last year 2) They're in no rush 3) They'll pay interest on "validated" refunds but will review everything for "violations" (that might allow them to deny refunds?)...
US Must Pay Interest on All Tariff Refunds
"US to Pay Interest If Ordered to Pay Importers Tariff Refunds" https://t.co/An3drmGJ4F It is the law, after all. Question is: how many refunds actually get issued after a lengthy court/administrative battle. The answer should be: all, now. But... https://t.co/xGmrydPr1P
Trump’s Retreat Proves IEEPA Bans, Not Taxes
Assuming Trump backs off his Spanish Embargo threat (a safe assumption, IMO), it won't just be another TACO. It'll perfectly prove @ATabarrok's point here about why an emergency wartime law like IEEPA would allow a presidential import ban but not...
US LNG Can't Quickly Replace Lost Qatari Cargoes
"There is little US LNG producers can do to immediately replace lost Qatari cargoes" https://t.co/ZAZe4MzpoI "American export plants are running nearly full tilt with most cargoes locked into long‑term contracts." https://t.co/3nYYZwRyaA
Arbiter's “Neutral” Review Simply Rehashes Old Tariffs
After a totally fair and neutral arbiter completes its not-at-all-reverse-engineered investigation and calculates totally unrigged tariff recommendations that just so happen to match the previous ones
California Regulations Block New Semiconductor, Battery, Steel Plants
"Banned in California" https://t.co/fqcEbwqWML? "The regulatory environment makes it effectively impossible to build new semiconductor fabs, automotive paint shops, battery gigafactories, or steel foundries." https://t.co/IWKL3dFowf
Tariffs Drive U.S. Equipment Production Overseas, Cutting Jobs
"Tariffs Force Down Heavy Equipment Sales and Jobs" https://t.co/gAxfFeOvbe "it is more economical to build a forklift overseas, import it and pay the tariff" "multiple layers of tariffs on inputs have made it even more expensive to build machinery on American soil"...
Court Blocks Government Delay, Secures Taxpayer Refunds
As a taxpayer, I greatly appreciate the speed with which the CAFC handled this proceeding and rejected the administration's baseless stalling tactics. Every day that IEEPA tariff refunds aren't paid will cost American taxpayers millions.
IEEPA Refund Delays Cost Taxpayers $700 Million Monthly
Friday, the Trump administration began stalling IEEPA tariff refunds in court. In a new @CatoInstitute blog post, we review US regs on customs duty refunds & find that IEEPA delays will cost taxpayers ~$700M/month (~$23M/day) in additional interest payments owed...
US Manufacturing Grows, Input Costs Surge to 2022 Levels
"US manufacturing expanded in February but input prices soared at the fastest pace since 2022, stoking fears of an inflation resurgence even before this weekend’s attacks on Iran." https://t.co/eB5YwfWkhb https://t.co/qeDvw5frvv
Small Business Owner Refunds Unlawful Tariffs, Calls Out White House
"This small business owner is already giving her customers a tariff refund" https://t.co/958bIzS0SL "if somebody charges you something and it's unlawful, they should give you your money back" Cc: The White House https://t.co/82Lv6OPwJw