Slate Daily Feed Slate Money | Let’s TACO ‘Bout It
Jun 7, 2025
Inflation worries are on the rise, but the accuracy of economic data is in jeopardy due to staffing cuts at The Bureau of Labor Statistics. The hosts dive into how a quirky finance term related to TACO has sparked outrage from Trump. Plus, they tackle whether Gen Z really hates reading or if it’s a misinterpretation of their modern habits. The conversation also touches on the resilience of the stock market against political chaos and the implications of evolving trade policies and reading trends among younger generations.
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Inflation Low But Tariffs Pressure Rising
- Inflation currently remains low and stable, particularly for daily essentials like eggs and gas, which are not imported.
- However, tariffs are causing some companies to raise prices, suggesting inflationary pressures might rise in imported goods later.
Rare Earths Supply Challenges
- Rare earth minerals are not scarce, but environmental regulations outside China make them costlier to extract.
- This dynamic makes it difficult to compete with China's pricing, complicating supply chain issues despite trade tensions.
BLS Cuts Threaten Inflation Data
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics faces staffing cuts and operational disruptions which degrade inflation data accuracy.
- Reliable CPI data is crucial because it affects social security, tax brackets, labor contracts, and bond payments.
