Is this a winning US economy for the Democrats? With Jared Bernstein
Sep 16, 2024
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Jared Bernstein, the chair of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers, dives deep into the current state of the US economy. He discusses how positive economic indicators clash with public sentiment amid the upcoming elections. Bernstein tackles topics like inflation, the labor market, and ongoing housing issues. The conversation also shifts to innovative policy proposals aimed at economic fairness, including targeted rent controls and a prepayment tax on unrealized capital gains. With humor and insight, he navigates the complexities of the political narrative surrounding economic realities.
Despite positive economic indicators, public sentiment remains low due to persistent inflation and a disconnect from actual data.
The housing crisis is driven by a structural supply shortage and rising interest rates, necessitating effective policy solutions for affordability.
Deep dives
BP's Commitment to Lower Carbon Energy
BP is making significant strides towards integrating lower carbon energy solutions into the UK market, which includes the design of two hydrogen plants. The company is maintaining its operations in oil and gas while simultaneously increasing its investment in lower carbon and transition businesses, growing this investment from about 3% in 2019 to around 23% by 2023. This dual approach reflects BP's strategy of supporting an energy transition while ensuring continued energy supply from traditional sources. Such efforts highlight the importance of evolving energy practices to align with global sustainability goals.
Economic Perceptions vs. Reality
Despite positive indicators for the US economy, such as a low unemployment rate and stable GDP growth, public sentiment does not fully reflect these improvements. The concept of 'economic vibes' often contrasts sharply with the data, with many individuals rating their perceptions of the economy significantly lower than the actual statistics suggest. Issues like persistent inflation, particularly in essential goods, contribute to a disconnect between consumer feelings and economic realities. As wages and incomes rise, however, there is potential for improvement in these sentiments as individuals acclimate to the new pricing landscape.
Challenges in the Housing Market
The ongoing housing inflation crisis is attributed to a structural shortage in housing supply, particularly affordable options, which presents a significant challenge for the current administration. Policies are being proposed to close the gap between supply and demand, aiming to create millions of affordable homes. Additionally, rising interest rates have sparked a lock-in effect, where existing homeowners are reluctant to sell their properties due to significantly higher mortgage rates for new purchases. This situation exacerbates the housing affordability crisis, making it crucial for policymakers to find effective solutions to stimulate housing supply.
Jared Bernstein is the chair of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers. Today on the show, Soumaya gets to put him in the hot seat. She grills him about everything from price caps to inflation to the recent jobs numbers. They even get into the mysterious problem of the vibes.
Soumaya Keynes writes a column each week for the Financial Times. You can find it here