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The Daily
The Problem With a $2 Trillion Deficit
Oct 23, 2023
Jim Tankersley, an economic policy correspondent for The New York Times, delves into the alarming rise of the U.S. federal deficit, now nearing $2 trillion. He discusses how this deficit contradicts the ongoing economic growth, highlighting the negative feedback loop created by rising borrowing costs. Tankersley contrasts Republican and Democratic approaches to managing the deficit and emphasizes the complexities of government budgeting amidst rising interest rates. The conversation offers insight into the challenging choices lawmakers face in addressing these pressing fiscal issues.
25:14
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Quick takeaways
- The US government's federal deficit has doubled to nearly $2 trillion over the past year, causing concern about the country's ability to borrow money and cover the shortfall, leading to increased borrowing costs.
- A significant drop in tax revenue, particularly due to factors such as capital gains taxes and lower tariff revenue, is the major reason for the substantial increase in the federal deficit.
Deep dives
The Growing Deficit: Doubling to $2 Trillion
The podcast episode highlights the US government's report that the federal deficit doubled to nearly $2 trillion over the past year. This massive deficit, which is twice the size of the previous year's deficit, is a cause for concern, as it is unusual for deficits to increase during a period of economic growth. The episode explores the implications of such a large deficit and how it is impacting the country's ability to borrow money to cover the shortfall, leading to increased borrowing costs. These growing borrowing costs could create a problematic cycle where more borrowing is needed to pay off the interest, further exacerbating the deficit. The episode emphasizes the need for policymakers to address the deficit issue and make tough choices regarding taxation and spending to avoid spiraling into a deeper fiscal crisis.
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