The US economy has exceeded the Federal Reserve's estimate of its growth potential in recent years, with growth averaging 3% under President Joe Biden, but concerns about rising public debt and inflation, as well as the Fed's efforts to control them, may lead to slower growth in the future and potentially a recession. However, there are hints of improving productivity that could support continued economic growth.
The U.S. economy has defied previous expectations of slow growth due to factors such as poor productivity and population aging, with growth exceeding projections and averaging 3% under President Joe Biden, but policymakers are still cautious and concerned about the uncertain economic trends, including labor force growth, inflation, and productivity.
Inflation is causing a decline in affordability for average working individuals, with prices on everyday necessities such as groceries, gasoline, and housing rising significantly in the past two years due to government spending and the Fed's money-printing.
The US economy is growing rapidly with favorable conditions for workers, but despite this, many Americans feel pessimistic about the economy due to inflation and high prices, which are driven by complex global forces and not solely under the control of President Biden or Trump. Housing affordability is also a major concern. However, the Biden administration can still tout the economic recovery, with low unemployment and strong economic growth forecasts.
Economists discuss the state of the U.S. economy, effects of Bidenomics, inflation outlook, and more.
The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act is creating jobs, but the United States is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, leading business leaders to call for an expansion of work permits for immigrants to fill the workforce gap.
The surge in gasoline prices poses risks for President Joe Biden and his green agenda, despite the fact that U.S. oil production is on track to set a new record this year and is expected to continue rising in the future.
President Joe Biden claims that his economic vision, known as "Bidenomics," is working, highlighting achievements such as reducing Black unemployment, cutting child poverty, and promoting clean energy, while Republicans criticize the approach and public opinion remains skeptical.
President Biden's new spending initiatives, including the "Inflation Reduction Act," are likely contributing to an increase in inflation, counteracting his claims that inflation is under control and negatively impacting the financial situation of average Americans.
The US job market is cooling down, with signs of weakening and a slowdown in momentum, which may allow the Federal Reserve to ease inflation pressure through weaker job creation and reduced demand.
President Biden claimed that the United States has the lowest inflation rate among major world economies, despite his own Commerce Secretary acknowledging that inflation "still exists" and is a challenge for Americans.
Despite the cooling inflation rate, the cost of goods and services in the United States has significantly increased, making it more expensive for the majority of workers to live, which contributes to their unhappiness about the economy.
Inflation has decreased significantly in recent months, but the role of the Federal Reserve in this decline is questionable as there is little evidence to suggest that higher interest rates led to lower prices and curtailed demand or employment. Other factors such as falling energy prices and the healing of disrupted supply chains appear to have had a larger impact on slowing inflation.
Despite positive economic growth and low unemployment rates, several major indicators suggest that the American economy under President Joe Biden is heading towards a recession, with high government deficit numbers indicating possible overspending to prevent a recession before the 2024 election.
Oil prices surge to the highest level in 10 months as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend production cuts, raising concerns about inflation and higher interest rates, while the resilient U.S. economy strengthens prospects for interest rate hikes; tensions escalate in the auto sector as contract negotiations with major automakers continue; GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen faces scrutiny from the SEC over stock trades; Apple's market value plummets due to concerns over China's ban on public workers using foreign-branded devices; semiconductor stocks weaken amid export restrictions on China; energy sector excels while industrials and utilities lag; upcoming key economic data to watch includes inflation rate, Producer Price Index, retail sales figures, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment data.
US inflation has slowed over the past year and wages are not a reliable indicator of future price increases, according to Federal Reserve officials.
The Biden administration may artificially depress inflation by using taxpayer money to manipulate the global oil market and replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in an attempt to lower gas prices and improve the president's chances of re-election.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo believes that reversing the rise in inequality in the United States is crucial for overall economic growth, and the Biden administration is focused on driving down inflation and making targeted investments to revitalize underserved communities.
The United States is experiencing inflationary pressures due to rising home prices and rental costs, posing challenges for homebuyers and renters, and potentially leading to broader increases in related services and inflation in other categories. Fed regulators are expecting deflationary trends in the future, but the interaction between housing data and the broader economy is crucial. The imbalance between supply and demand in the housing market needs to be addressed for prices to stabilize.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen believes the US economy is on a path that will prevent a recession while maintaining control over inflation, as polls show increasing optimism among Americans; she also expects a strong labor market despite slower economic growth.
Despite claims by the Biden administration and corporate media that inflation is decreasing, the latest consumer price index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Americans paid 3.7 percent more for basic consumer items in August compared to the previous year.
The personal lens of individuals' financial well-being is a significant factor in how they rate the national economy, with inflation and high prices being major concerns, leading to a lagging personal recovery for many Americans since the pandemic, which impacts their assessment of the economy; furthermore, individuals who are struggling financially today tend to give worse ratings of the U.S. economy compared to those in similar positions in 2019, which contributes to President Biden's low economy and inflation ratings.
President Joe Biden has promised to lower U.S. gasoline prices, addressing voter frustration over the economy as consumer inflation rises.
Despite rising gas prices, Americans remain optimistic about inflation easing, as expectations for inflation rates in the year ahead have fallen to the lowest level since March 2021, according to a consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan. However, concerns are surfacing about a potential government shutdown, which could dampen consumer views on the economy.
A Guardian/Harris Poll survey found that although official figures suggest a strong US economy, two-thirds of Americans feel financially squeezed and find it difficult to be happy about positive economic news, potentially impacting the Biden administration's popularity and the upcoming election in swing states like North Carolina.
The Biden administration's efforts to win back rural America and gain credit for economic gains face challenges due to years of neglect, skepticism about government spending, and divisions over social issues, as rural voters have shown support for Republicans and are concerned about inflation and pocketbook issues.
Canadian grocery executives are set to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss food inflation, but analysts argue that the summit is unlikely to have a significant impact on the issue. Trudeau called for a plan to stabilize food inflation and warned that tax measures were on the table if consumers continued to face high grocery prices. However, analysts believe the summit is a disingenuous attempt to appear proactive on affordability concerns, and that grocers alone cannot solve the issue. They argue that factors such as the war in Ukraine and other players in the supply chain also contribute to rising food prices.
Despite the positive impact of Biden's economic agenda, Americans are still skeptical about the state of the economy, partly because the benefits of the agenda are not always visible or well-known.
Despite assurances from policymakers and economists, inflation in the US continues to rise, posing significant challenges to the economy and financial stability.
The Biden administration's economic policies, known as "Bidenomics," have led to inflation and a decrease in median household income, causing American families to lose ground economically. The media's focus on the poverty rate ignores the negative impact of government welfare programs and inflation on Americans' financial well-being.
"Inflation expectations can influence actual inflation, as people's behavior and attitudes towards the economy play a role in price changes," according to Joanne Hsu, director of the Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan.
A new survey shows that President Biden's claim of improving the economy is not resonating with American voters, with more than twice as many feeling worse off than better off since the pandemic, potentially impacting his chances in the 2024 election.
Gas prices in the US have reached their highest level in 11 months, posing challenges for the Federal Reserve in its campaign to control inflation. Factors contributing to the increase include rising oil prices, production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, reduced refinery production due to hot weather, and low reserves in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. However, prices are expected to decrease with the switch to a cheaper gasoline blend in the fall and projected global economic slowdown in 2024.
A debate over President Biden's approval rating prompts discussion about airport food prices and the impact of unregulated markets.
The U.S. economy is facing uncertainty and conflicting estimates, with regional Fed estimates showing significant divergence and risks of economic contraction or slow growth, while factors such as health insurance costs, wage growth, home prices, and rising gas and commodity prices could potentially cause inflation to rebound. Moreover, there are still risks and challenges ahead, making declarations of victory premature, according to Larry Summers.
