Marketplace All-in-One

If President Donald Trump's tariffs stymie the U.S. economy — which would, in turn, slow the global economy — oil demand will fall. And we're already operating at a surplus. In this episode, why the oil market tea leaves are difficult to read right now. Plus: Trump takes an “unprecedented” hands-on approach to Big Tech business dealings, and tariffs on semiconductors will make electronics more expensive. And, despite a six-year period of steep overall inflation, some prices have dropped. Can you guess which ones?Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

President Trump today said he's temporarily taking over Washington's police department and sending in National Guard troops to crack down on crime. We'll get into the legal questions surrounding the move, and Kimberly shares her thoughts as a local. Plus, key inflation data set to come out this week could bring the impact of tariffs into clearer view. Then, we'll smile about meteor showers and beach glass.Here's everything we talked about today:"Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard" from AP News"Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here's what the data shows." from The Washington Post "What Trump can — and can't — do in his bid to take over law enforcement in DC" from Politico  "Small Businesses Brace for the Punishing Side Effects of Trump's Tariffs" from The New York Times"July Inflation Data: What to Watch in Tuesday's CPI Report" from The Wall Street Journal "How to Watch the Perseids, the Strongest Meteor Shower of the Summer" from The New York TimesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The U.S. and India, until about a week ago when steep tariffs went into effect, had been on track to forge strong ties in trade, defense, and other areas. One thing that seems to have been lost in the tariff drama was the budding “bromance” between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also: a look at how the so-called “meme stock” effect has affected companies that have been boosted, and we talk with economist Julia Coronado about the possibility of a Fed rate cut in upcoming cycles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has been in the headlines recently for other reasons, has quietly stopped collecting economic data from smaller cities. We chat with Cornell University professor Russell Weaver on why the collection of inflation and other data is being cut in places like Buffalo, New York and Lincoln, Nebraska. Also: two American microchip makers have agreed to give the U.S. government a cut of their sales in China.

From the BBC World Service: Tesla is looking to enter the UK energy market as the company continues to diversify its offerings in addition to electric vehicles. Also: a look at how residents of self-governing Greenland think about their future amid pressure from the Trump administration.

U.S.-based data centers are expanding at a fast pace, thanks largely to the boom in generative artificial intelligence software and cloud computing. But they're also reportedly causing environmental issues and other problems for their neighbors. The BBC's Michelle Fleury reports from Georgia on how the boom in data centers is raising environmental and sustainability concerns from the people who live near them.

The U.S. health care sector will lose crucial long-term care providers if the Trump administration suceeds in slashing the Temporary Protected Status program. In this episode, we visit Massachusetts, where many Haitian immigrants at risk of deportation fill critical, low-paid care roles. Plus: Developing economies will suffer if U.S. consumption is stymied by tariffs, and we check in with an artist in Nebraska and retirees in New England.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

President Trump will replace Billy Long as the head of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months since he was confirmed. This comes after months of turmoil at the IRS. We'll explain. And, did you know could opt out of facial recognition software when going through airport security? Plus, we'll weigh in on Instagram's new map feature and more during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here's everything we talked about today:"Trump Is Removing Billy Long as the I.R.S. Head 2 Months After He Was Confirmed" from The New York Times"The Comply To Fly?" from The Algorithmic Justice League"This wedding season, some couples are using their registries to give back" from Marketplace"Should buy now, pay later factor into credit scores?" from Marketplace"The New York Post is launching a California edition. Why?" from The Washington Post "Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move'" from The Washington PostTell us about your experience with TSA's facial recognition system. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

President Donald Trump has been threatening tariffs on pharmaceuticals for months. This week, he told CNBC that he's planning to impose a “small tariff” on prescription drugs soon, which could eventually be raised to 250%. Today, we delve into what tariffs could mean for prescription drug imports and the patients who rely on them. Also: a temporary appointment at the Fed, tariffs on gold, and spending on soccer sponsorships in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

You might be able to before too long. Tax-protected retirement savings may soon allow riskier assets to be included in 401(k)s or 403(b)s, such as cryptocurrency accounts or private-equity investments. The gears for this were set in motion by presidential order yesterday, though the changes won't happen immediately. We'll learn more. And later in the program, we'll explore how tariffs are shaping business for both a Switzerland-based generic drugmaker and a Portland, Oregon-based building contractor.

From the BBC World Service: The pharmaceutical industry is still waiting to see what duties they'll be hit with, but pharma giant Sandoz, based in Switzerland, says the duties won't get them to move manufacturing to the U.S. Then, President Donald Trump called for the boss of U.S. chipmaker Intel to resign. And, the Congolese government is in the spotlight for spending massive amounts of money to sponsor some of the world's biggest soccer teams.

OpenAI's new open-weight models are designed to run on a local computer and can be fine tuned by users. A Tech Transparency Project report shows Google dropped more than 50 DEI-related groups from its funding list. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company's investment to build up its supply chain in the domestically. Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, to discuss all of this and more.

American worker productivity grew a modest 2.4% in the second quarter of the year. Good news, right? Well, take a look at the math, and the last few months of falling imports and slowing workforce growth translated to productivity that might only look strong on paper. Later in this episode: Trump floats a 100% tariff on foreign semiconductors, couples opt for charitable wedding registries, and a mom of six makes a tough career decision.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Remember the K-shaped economy? It's the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week's bombshell jobs report showed a similar pattern in the labor market, where certain sectors are booming, while others are falling behind. We'll explain. And, we'll unpack President Trump's threats for a 100% tariff on semiconductors and the gap between what workers and employers want out of AI on the job. Plus, we'll celebrate a listener's career win!Here's everything we talked about today:"Tracking Trump's New Tariffs on Every Country" from The New York Times"Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S." from CNBC"Employers Pull Back on Hiring as Uncertainty Weighs on Plans" from The New York Times"How much say do workers have over the tech employers make them use?" from Marketplace"Providing ChatGPT to the entire U.S. federal workforce" from OpenAI"What workers really want from AI" from Stanford Report We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

You can use buy now, pay later for almost anything — a couch, new clothes, groceries. FICO now says it will unveil a new version of its credit score this fall, which would include BNPL. But at least two of the big companies that offer these microloans want to know more before sharing data with credit bureaus. Also today: presidential calls for leadership changes at Intel, data on job-finding, and a tariff-squeezed building contractor.

With President Donald Trump's tariffs in effect, we're now at the highest average level of import taxes since the 1930s — all in the name of boosting American jobs, raising money to pay for government spending, and exercising U.S. influence. But rates could still change as the U.S. finishes trade agreement negotiations and sorts out frameworks for existing deals. Also on the show: We'll parse new data on monetary losses from online scams.

From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump's tariffs are now in effect, ranging from 10% to as high as 50%. We'll hear from reporters and analysts on the ground in Singapore, Delhi, and Zambia to check the mood among business owners. Plus, how far do you travel to pick up your groceries? For people living in the rural Australian settlement of Burringurrah, going shopping used to mean a 500-mile round trip, but that's changed after a new shop opened.

Section 1033 of the Dodd Frank Act was finalized at the end of the Biden administration and would require banks to give consumers free access and control of their personal banking data.The rule had met legal pushback from the bank industry and the CFPB under the Trump administration planned to scrap it. But last week, the bureau said it will instead rewrite Section 1033.Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino discusses the news with Rohit Chopra, who served as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when the rule was finalized in 2024.

The latest household debt report from the New York Federal Reserve is in. Delinquencies are on the rise — specifically, student loan delinquencies spiked into the double-digits. In this episode, experts say the news isn't too alarming, even as consumers lean more on borrowing to get by. Plus: Audi might build a U.S. factory to save on tariffs, a drop in international students could cost the U.S. economy, and Tennessee bans community benefits agreements.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan's production in the United States. It's the latest in a string of moves by tech companies that could help maintain favor with the president and avoid tariffs. And, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to ease restrictions for drone package deliveries. We'll get into the pros and cons of more drone-friendly skies. Plus, the origins of Pac-Man and a funeral fit for an AI chatbot model.Here's everything we talked about today:"Federal Aviation Administration looks to expand drone package delivery" from ABC News"Video Shows Drone Rescuing Man During Flood in China" from The New York Times "Trump, Apple to Announce Fresh $100 Billion US Investment" from Bloomberg”Trump to Double India's Tariff to 50% Over Russian Oil Purchases” from The New York Times"'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming - and the world" from BBC News"Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic's Retired AI Model" from WiredWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

More than 3,000 Boeing machinists are striking for a third day at plants in Illinois and Missouri, pushing for better pay, benefits, and scheduling. The walkout comes during the aerospace giant's turnaround year, thanks to increased defense spending by the Trump administration. Also on today's show: OpenAI is taking another step toward becoming a cash-generating machine, and Thai exporters grapple with the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

An executive order could be on the way as early as today to push regulators to investigate whether banks discriminate against customers based on politics. The order would follow years of complaints by some conservatives, who claim banks turned them down over their political or religious views. We'll hear more. Plus, we'll learn how compounding pharmacies are competing with brand-name weight loss drugmakers. And, should investors be extra nervous in the month of August?

From the BBC World Service: The Trump administration's steepest tariffs yet take effect against Brazil today. A raft of Brazilian goods, including coffee, will face a 50% import tax in response to what Trump calls a "witch hunt" against the country's former president. We unpack the impact. Then, Thailand managed to dodge the worst of Trump's tariffs, but the lower levies are still going to pack a punch.

Marketplace's Alice Wilder has been waiting for a love letter from her boyfriend to arrive at her home since March. But it's not just her — years of financial troubles and political turmoil mean that those still sending letters are experiencing longer delivery times. Today, Wilder explores how email has eaten into USPS' letter traffic since 2008 and whether a romantic email could ever replace the intimacy of a handwritten letter.

The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is at a crossroads. As oil demand appears poised to plateau, natural gas demand is in a period of tremendous growth. The rub? Most U.S. natural gas is extracted as a byproduct of oil drilling. Can there be one without the other? Also in this episode: The Trump administration considers slapping tracking devices on semiconductors, Yum! Brands reports a spending slowdown, and new data shows a nearly frozen services sector.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The S&P 500 — a key guide to many savings plans — is up 22% in a year, more than twice the return it averages over time. There's a conviction all of this AI means profits, profits and more profits. Add to that a surge in speculation driven by internet chatter, and it raises the question: Should we worry the stock market is about to bubble over? We ask veteran investor Barry Ritholtz, chairman and chief investment officer at Ritholtz Wealth Management in New York. Plus, hundreds of thousands of refugees are returning to Syria after the fall of the country's dictator last year. And many of those returning are bringing their businesses back with them.

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State and local governments have faced pressure from the White House to comply with this agenda. And it's turned them into even more important battlegrounds in the regulatory wars. On the show today, Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network, explains how local officials grapple with threats of funding cuts coming from the White House, and how you can get more involved in your state and local politics.Later, listeners share some love for public libraries. And, Steve Pierson, co-host of “The Practivist Pod,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here's everything we talked about today:"States Ramping Up Regulations Amid Federal Pullback" from Forbes "Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail'" from Politico"Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting" from The Texas Tribune"Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told" from The Economist"The Documenters Network" from City Bureau We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Last week, the new trade agreement was painted with a broad brush. But we're now getting some finer details, including a 15% cap on taxes for most European imports. Also on the program: Amazon is putting more money into AI and its cloud computing business, and major oil companies report mixed results in their latest earnings.

From the BBC World Service: Farmers in India are gearing up for protests over the country's trade relationship with the U.S. They're worried about the threat of higher tariffs, and the prospect of their market opening up to U.S. producers. Plus, as delegates from more than 170 countries meet in Geneva to agree to a legally binding agreement to curb plastics pollution, we hear from one social entrepreneur who is cleaning plastic from rivers and oceans.

A new national study from groups including Gallup and the non-profit Jobs for the Future found that relatively few employees have any influence over how new technology is adopted in the workplace. Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Molly Blankenship, director of strategy and impact at Jobs for the Future, about what that means for employers and employees as technology like generative AI becomes more common in the office.

As President Donald Trump puts political pressure on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experts worry BLS data will become less trustworthy. Economists following China say they know the feeling. In this episode, what we can learn from them. Plus, we peek behind the scenes of a municipal bond sale, speak with some economists who aren't too surprised by the revised jobs numbers, and break down what it means that Trump can nominate a new Fed governor.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes, plus a new update and your surprising reactions.While sorting through her father's belongings after his death, Amanda Petteruti came across a collection of locked toolboxes. What she discovered inside made her rethink what she knew about her family's finances and left her with unsettling questions about her dad: Why had he spent so much money on this secret hobby? Why was it now Amanda's burden to handle? And how do you find closure with someone once they're gone? We want to know what you think about This Is Uncomfortable. Please complete a short, anonymous survey by going to marketplace.org/survey. It should only take about 10 minutes, and you do all of us at Marketplace a huge favor by filling it out.

President Trump's firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner is not without international precedent. Other countries have gone down the path of meddling with economic data for political gain. We'll get into lessons we can take from the rest of the world. And, can the U.S. continue to be a bastion of scientific research in the wake of deep federal funding cuts? Plus, we'll celebrate one listener's feat of digitizing years of her great grandmother's diaries.Here's everything we talked about today:"Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End" from The Atlantic "Trump to Name New Fed Governor, Jobs Data Head in Coming Days" from Bloomberg"Trump Fired America's Economic Data Collector. History Shows the Perils." from The New York TimesThread on X from Lulu Garcia NavarroWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

President Trump fired the top Bureau of Labor Statistics official on Friday, after the agency issued a weak jobs report. The report also revised earlier estimates of job creation in May and June down by 258,000. The president claimed the numbers were being manipulated. Julia Coronado, founder and president of Macropolicy Perspectives and a professor at UT Austin, joins us to discuss. Also on the show: how Trump's tariffs could sink Lesotho's textile industry.

On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job creation in the U.S. was much lower than expected in July, and revised down its numbers for May and June, reporting there were 258,000 fewer jobs created in those months than initially estimated. President Trump, upset about the revisions, then proceeded to fire the head of that Bureau. The president now says he'll name a replacement in the coming days. Plus, why the manufacturing sector is struggling and how storm-chasing scientists are working to unlock the mysteries of hail.

From the BBC World Service: The U.S. has warned India of an "unspecified penalty" for buying Russian oil and weapons, which Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller says could take India's tariff rate to as much as 100%. For years, the economy of the tiny African kingdom of Lesotho has struggled, with claims of corruption and soaring unemployment; it's now been hit with 15% U.S. tariffs — less than the 50% they were facing, but still a huge blow.

As autonomous vehicles become more common, cities are grappling with how to keep robotaxis from interfering with emergency response efforts. Julia Pickar reports on how Seattle is trying to fix this problem.

The Bureau of Labor Statistic's July jobs report came in far below expectations. May and June's counts were also revised down significantly. What's a president — one who's championed contentious economic policies — to do? Fire the BLS chief, apparently. In this episode, what happens if President Donald Trump turns federal data collection into a partisan tool. Plus: Medium-sized companies are hit hardest by tariffs and digital price labels are coming to a grocery store near you.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Following a weaker than expected jobs report today, President Trump said he'll fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, claiming the data was rigged. It's an unprecedented move with potentially enormous consequences for our understanding of the U.S. economy. We'll explain. And, we'll get into how Trump's tariffs are destabilizing economies across globe. Plus, we'll weigh in on tariff “rebates” and pricier desserts during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"The full list of Trump's tariffs – from India to Taiwan" from The Guardian "‘There's no work now, just debt': Cambodian garment workers face precarious future as US tariffs loom" from The Guardian "Tariffs Bring Disaster In Lesotho, the Country That Trump Says Nobody's Heard Of" from The Wall Street Journal "85 percent of parents worry about tariffs affecting back-to-school cost: Survey" from The Hill "Trump fires commissioner of labor statistics after weaker-than-expected jobs figures slam markets" from CNBC"Big Downward Jobs Revisions Could Be a Warning Sign for the Economy" The New York Times"Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace"NYC's Luxury Dessert Scene Is Booming and Higher Priced Than Ever" from Eater"Subscription-based children's magazines are revitalizing the genre" from Marketplace"GOP senators reject Trump's pitch to use tariff revenue for ‘rebates'" from The Washington PostWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On Friday, job growth figures from earlier months were revised sharply downward: May's gain was cut from 125,000 to just 19,000, and June's total from 147,000 to only 14,000. Today, we're told there were 73,000 more jobs in July, but might that number also get revised down? Also on the show: are President Trump's new tariffs legal? Jess Bravin listened as a federal appeals court panel heard the arguments on Thursday, and he joins us to discuss. Plus, Minneapolis bans discrimination based on body size.

The Trump administration set August 1 as the deadline for countries to strike new trade agreements with the U.S. Some met the deadline, and others did not. The administration says it's about trading away some efficiency in commerce for a new trade system that is "fair and balanced." Mentioned less often is the role tariffs play in raising taxes to fund government spending. Plus, what is the difference between fine art and the art market? Art critic Blake Gopnik joins us to discuss the evolving world of art and commerce.

From the BBC World Service: President Trump's long-delayed tariff deadline has finally passed and for countries without a deal, the import taxes are steep — the highest in almost a century. But some countries, including Thailand, are breathing a sigh of relief that the revised duties aren't as high as feared. Meanwhile, automakers are already counting the cost of tariffs which were imposed on vehicles and vehicle parts earlier in the process.