Norbert Michel

Norbert Michel, Cato’s Vice President and Director of the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, dives into the misconceptions surrounding free trade and its impact on the middle class. He argues that tariffs are based on misunderstandings of data and that free trade has greatly benefited most Americans, contrary to common belief. Michel challenges nostalgic views of the past, unpacks wage stagnation, and emphasizes the economic progress since the 1970s. He encourages a recognition of the advantages of trade agreements for both the U.S. and its partners.

Norbert Michel, director at Cato's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, and Jennifer Schulp, director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute, dive into the vital role of financial markets in America's economic growth. They debunk myths surrounding financial markets, emphasizing their key role in capital allocation and risk management. The discussion also touches on the regulatory challenges small businesses face, arguing increased regulation may undermine, rather than enhance, market stability and individual choices.

Richard Cordray, the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2012 to 2017, and Norbert Michel, vice president at the Cato Institute, dive into the significance of the CFPB. They discuss its pivotal role in returning billions to defrauded consumers and the ongoing political threats it faces. The guests dissect real-life experiences of consumers navigating financial fraud and the implications of potential changes under different administrations. They also analyze the agency's legacy and the broader debates surrounding consumer protections in the evolving financial landscape.