Economic Policy

On September 19th, President Donald Trump signed another one of his 217 executive orders in his new presidential term (“2025 Donald J. Trump Executive Orders”). But unlike his typical focus on security and illegal immigration, this order took aim at something different: legal immigration, specifically with the H-1B visa program. The order introduced a $100,000 fee for every new H-1B visa petition, an increase from the previous average of approximately $3,500, and signified on

In the mid-1950s, manufacturing accounted for roughly one quarter (21-25%) of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), defining America's role as the world’s industrial powerhouse. Today, that figure has plummeted to around 10% of GDP (Yuskavage and Fahim-Nader 75). Out of necessity, The United States is undergoing one of the most significant economic shifts in decades as federal policymakers embrace a revived form of industrial policy aimed at rebuilding domestic manufacturing

Shipping containers at a busy port in Vietnam, reflecting the region’s export growth The Hidden Winner of the US-China Trade War The US-China Trade War, which started in 2018, has widely been seen as a showdown between two global superpowers. Commentators tracked every tariff, every retaliation, every political statement. But while the world fixated on Washington and Beijing, something else was happening quietly in the background. Shipping containers stacked high at the ports

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives were once the cool kids on the corporate block, every company wanted in. But fast forward to 2025, and suddenly, the party is winding down. Why? Politics, lawsuits, money, and shareholder drama. If you’ve been too busy cramming for exams or chasing deadlines to keep up, don’t worry; I’ve got you. So, let’s break it down. DEI became a major focus for companies wanting to be more inclusive and attract diverse talent. It was

As Trump returns to the White House, thousands of federal workers are not. The president’s plan to dramatically reduce the size of the federal government is bound to shake up Washington, and not just politically. Following an executive order signed by Trump the day he took office, the new president issued a hiring freeze on all federal civilian workers that applies to the majority of departments and agencies. This order cannot impact Social Security, Medicare, or veteran’s be

Since the 2016 Democratic Primary Election, there has been an increase in support for  Democratic Socialists, led by Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who have  been idealizing the Nordic Model. Starting in the early-to-mid 1900s, the Nordic countries  (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland) developed a socioeconomic model that  promoted social corporatism and welfare. However, as the century progressed, the nations  increased deregulation and expanded

The Federal Reserve defines inflation as “The rate at which the price of goods and services increases over time.” At its most basic understanding, inflation is caused by greater growth in the money supply relative to the availability of goods and services in an economy. The prices of everything we buy - from houses and cars to food and drinks - are significantly higher than they used to be. Pictured below is a graph from the St. Louis Fed that showcases the substantial growt