The announcement of criminal charges against Donald Trump by the Manhattan district attorney’s office last night may not have come as a shock to markets, which were notably muted on the news going into Friday. We chat with Christopher Low, chief economist at FHN Financial, about what the reaction has been so far and what could happen going forward. Plus, we look at projections about a key consumer sentiment gauge before data is released this morning. And, the BBC reports on the Japanese government’s move to stop high-tech microchip exports to China.
3/31/2023
8:52
America’s energy transition has a worker shortage problem
The Inflation Reduction Act has set out a slew of funding opportunities for government agencies and private companies looking to usher in the green transition. But as of right now, many industries crucial to that effort are facing an acute labor shortage, including trade jobs like electricians. Plus, a look with University of Michigan Professor Erik Gordon at how former president Trump’s indictment could affect markets. Also, the White House has outlined a plan to beef up regulation and oversight of mid-sized banks. And, Amtrak is seeking record funding this year on the heels of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
3/31/2023
8:46
Japan moves to restrict China chip exports
From the BBC World Service: Japan is planning to impose export restrictions on equipment used to manufacture semiconductors. The trade controls align with an American push to limit China’s ability to make advanced chips. Plus, the outgoing head of the World Bank, David Malpass, tells us he’s concerned about some of the loan conditions China has been giving to low income countries. And, we talk to the man behind one of the most successful ever cell phone games — the Candy Crush Saga.
3/31/2023
7:52
The pitfalls of being the child of a parenting influencer
We’re so used to it by now — people sharing every little detail of their lives online. And when it comes to content about parenting, it’s basically a whole industry. You can find “momfluencers” and family channels for any style of parenting or worldview you can think of, to the point that there’s now a generation of kids who have grown up in the social media eye. And, as you might imagine. not all of them are thrilled about it. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke to Fortesa Latifi, features reporter for Teen Vogue, who recently dove into this culture and its effects on the children involved.
3/31/2023
12:26
It all comes down to the (hush) money
Donald Trump has become the first former president to be charged with a crime. A Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump after hearing evidence about payments given to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 election run. We’ll discuss the significance of the case and what may follow in the days and week’s ahead. Plus, an age-defying story that made us smile.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“Trump indicted by N.Y. grand jury, first ex-president charged with crime” from The Washington Post
“Donald Trump indicted; 1st ex-president charged with crime” from AP News
“U.S. Considers Asking Black Americans on Census if They Are Slave Descendants” from The Wall Street Journal
“High egg prices send profits at largest US producer soaring more than 700%” from CNN
“Egg Producers Accused of Price Gouging After 718% Profit Revealed” from Newsweek
“Eggflation rate lower, milk prices decrease, in February 2023” from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
“Coloring eggs, eating fesikh: how Egyptians celebrate Sham El-Nessim?” from Egypt Today
“How low unemployment lifts workers at the bottom” from Marketplace
“Lamborghini’s plug-in hybrid supercar runs for a cool six miles in electric-only mode” from Engadget
“Japanese Surfer, 89, Still Plans To Be Catching Waves At 100” from Huffpost
Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap and the cherry blossom festival! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time/6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.