Goldman Sachs Economist Jan Hatzius on His 2025 Economic Outlook
Dec 22, 2024
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Jan Hatzius, the chief economist at Goldman Sachs, shares his insights on the future economy. He predicts how tariffs, especially on Chinese imports, will shape growth and inflation in 2025. Jan unpacks the impact of changing inflation on consumer confidence and spending power. The chat delves into the evolving ties between the stock market and economic performance, highlighting shifts in consumer behavior post-pandemic. They even touch on the holiday spirit with a light-hearted discussion about gift-giving in the face of economic trends.
The anticipated renewal of tariffs in 2025 is expected to impact economic growth, yet Jan Hatzius remains cautiously optimistic with a 2.5% growth forecast.
Changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration may slightly hinder economic growth, but favorable tax cuts and regulations will help mitigate these effects.
Deep dives
Impact of Tariffs on Economic Outlook
A significant concern regarding the economic outlook revolves around the potential impact of tariffs, particularly those enacted during the Trump administration. The economist discussed how previous tariffs led to a modest increase in the average U.S. tariff rate and were overshadowed by other positive economic factors, such as the 2017 tax cuts. However, he anticipates renewed tariffs in 2025, specifically a 20 percentage point increase on imports from China and additional targeted tariffs. Despite these expectations, he maintains a cautiously optimistic forecast, predicting that the economy will still grow by approximately 2.5% and experience gradual disinflation.
Effects of Immigration Policy on Economic Growth
Changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration are expected to influence economic growth and inflation rates. The economist noted a significant decline in net immigration, projecting a decrease from historical averages, potentially affecting labor supply and consumer prices. While this immigration reduction poses a modest risk to growth, it is counterbalanced by expected extensions of the 2017 tax cuts and favorable regulatory changes that should support economic performance. Ultimately, the economist believes that the overall economic impact of these immigration policies will be manageable and not significantly detrimental.
The Wealth Effect's Role in Consumer Spending
The wealth effect has noticeably contributed to consumer spending as rising asset values, including stocks and real estate, have made many Americans feel wealthier. The economist pointed out that the ratio of household wealth to income has reached historical highs, allowing consumers to feel more confident in their ability to spend. While this wealth increase supports spending growth, he emphasized that income remains the most crucial driver, with real disposable personal income having grown significantly in recent years. This juxtaposition highlights that, despite the stock market's prominence, actual income growth outpacing inflation is essential for sustained consumer confidence and spending.
Jan Hatzius, chief economist and head of global investment research at Goldman Sachs, joins co-hosts Gunjan Banerji and Telis Demos for the show’s last episode of 2024. They talk about Jan’s 2025 economic outlook, the role tariffs could play in the second Trump Administration, and the Federal Reserve’s latest interest-rate decision. They even get into the holiday spirit and chat about gift-giving.
A note to listeners: WSJ’s Take On the Week is going to take a break for the holidays and will return on Jan. 5. Happy Holidays!
Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We’d love to hear from you. Email the hosts at telis.demos@wsj.com and gunjan.banerji@wsj.com.