Marketplace All-in-One Let's take a hard look at that GDP growth
Jul 30, 2025
Sabree Beneshore, a reporter at Marketplace, shares insights on the latest GDP growth figures. He discusses how recent tariffs cloud the economic picture, impacting inflation and small businesses. The conversation also explores the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates amidst dissent, as well as the rise of stablecoins potentially replacing credit cards. Beneshore highlights the intricate relationship between trade, currency, and consumer behavior, offering a thought-provoking look at modern economic complexities.
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Hidden Nuances in GDP Growth
- U.S. GDP growth in Q2 2025 looks strong at 3%, but trade chaos inflates the number.
- Reduced imports due to tariff effects mathematically boost GDP but mask actual economic cooling.
Core Economy Shows Slowdown
- Core economic growth is slowing, especially in consumer and business spending.
- Growth rates declined from 3.4% late last year to just 1.2% recently, signaling cooling.
Violin Shop Tackles Tariffs Impact
- Wesley Rule shared how violin shop pricing was affected by tariffs causing average price increases of 30%.
- They've maintained low prices on budget instruments to support low-income families despite margin pressure.