Ernie Tedeschi, Director of Economics at Yale Budget Lab and former chief economist at the White House, dives deep into the complexities of inflation. He challenges the idea that corporate greed is the main culprit, exploring how COVID-19 reshaped supply and demand. The discussion reveals the significant surge in grocery profits, especially from store-brand products, while analyzing consumer perceptions of pricing fairness. Tedeschi emphasizes the need to view inflation through a broad economic lens rather than oversimplifying it to just greed-driven factors.

Enda Curran, a Bloomberg News reporter specializing in global economy, and Ernie Tedeschi, Director of Economics at Yale Budget Lab, delve into the implications of Trump's proposed tariffs. They discuss how these tariffs could raise prices on everyday goods, particularly groceries, and spark inflation worries. The conversation highlights the potential effects on American manufacturing, the delicate U.S.-Canada trade relationship, and the complexities of international economic dynamics. Listeners gain insights into consumer behavior changes amid tariff uncertainties.

Frances Donald, Chief Economist at RBC, discusses the nuances of the US economic landscape beyond the soft vs. hard landing debate. David Kelly from JP Morgan highlights the mixed signals in the global economy while navigating post-cycle realities. Ernie Tedeschi, from the Yale Budget Lab, critically examines the financial implications of tariffs initiated under Trump, emphasizing their impact on consumers rather than job creation. Kristen Bitterly, from Citi, stresses the need for robust retirement planning amidst current market challenges.

In this engaging discussion, Ernie Tedeschi, former Chief Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers and current Director of Economics at The Budget Lab, dives into the intricacies of inflation reporting. He reveals the factors driving inflation and addresses the tools economists have—or wish they had—for effective analysis. The conversation also uncovers how high interest rates are impacting consumer sentiment and highlights the concerning trend of men dropping out of the labor force, sparking a call for policy action.

Ernie Tedeschi, former White House economist, discusses political risks to US safe harbor premium, benefits of full employment, and trends in R-star. Topics include labor market metrics, soft landings in inflation, and implications of R-star movements on monetary policy. Ernie highlights the importance of productivity growth and efficient taxation for economic sustainability.