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Economy

Vox’s coverage of the economy. Analysis of inflation, the housing market, economic booms, recessions, and everything in between.

Politics
The real losers from Trump’s stock crash, explained in 2 chartsThe real losers from Trump’s stock crash, explained in 2 charts
Politics

It’s not just the wealthy.

By Nicole Narea
World Politics
Trump’s tariffs are an opportunity for China. Can Beijing seize it?Trump’s tariffs are an opportunity for China. Can Beijing seize it?
World Politics

Is America remaking the global economy or leaving it to its rival?

By Joshua Keating
Politics
Would you pay more for an American-made TV? This influential thinker thinks you will.Would you pay more for an American-made TV? This influential thinker thinks you will.
Politics

A conversation with Oren Cass, the right’s point person on tariffs.

By Noel King and Miles Bryan
Politics
What happened the last time the US went all-in on tariffs?What happened the last time the US went all-in on tariffs?
Politics

Plus 6 other questions about Trump’s tariffs, answered.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
America may be headed for this rare type of economic crisisAmerica may be headed for this rare type of economic crisis
Politics

Stagflation, explained.

By Eric Levitz
How Donald Trump is remaking America
Trump’s tariffs risk destroying his winning coalitionTrump’s tariffs risk destroying his winning coalition
How Donald Trump is remaking America

Already distrusted on the economy, Trump’s tariffs will be a liability with the voters who put him in office.

By Christian Paz
Culture
How the Nintendo Switch 2 delay explains Trump’s tariffsHow the Nintendo Switch 2 delay explains Trump’s tariffs
Culture

Trump threw a blue shell at Nintendo — and the global economy.

By Nicole Narea
How Donald Trump is remaking America
The right is cooking up a surprising legal fight against Trump’s tariffsThe right is cooking up a surprising legal fight against Trump’s tariffs
How Donald Trump is remaking America

At least some GOP legal elites are lining up against Trump’s trade policy. That could be enough to sway the justices.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
You have questions about Trump’s tariffs. We have answers.You have questions about Trump’s tariffs. We have answers.
Politics

And also more questions.

By Nicole Narea
Supreme Court
The best legal case against Trump’s tariffs, explainedThe best legal case against Trump’s tariffs, explained
Supreme Court

The president has broad authority over trade, but SCOTUS sometimes vetoes the president when they think he went too far.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
One state’s desperate new plan to fix its egg shortageOne state’s desperate new plan to fix its egg shortage
Future Perfect

Arizona is delaying its cage-free standards to free up the egg supply. Experts say it won’t help much.

By Kenny Torrella
Politics
Trump’s precarious economy, in four chartsTrump’s precarious economy, in four charts
Politics

Is Trump torching the economy? Here’s what the numbers say.

By Nicole Narea
Future Perfect
AI is coming for the laptop classAI is coming for the laptop class
Future Perfect

Remote work has surged. Is it about to all be automated away?

By Dylan Matthews
Politics
Is the US headed for a recession?Is the US headed for a recession?
Politics

The not quite good news about Trump’s economy.

By Eric Levitz
Explain It to Me
How scared should you be about tariffs?How scared should you be about tariffs?
Explain It to Me

Everything you need to know about tariffs but were too afraid to ask.

By Sean Collins
Politics
Economic growth is slowing — so Trump wants to redefine “economic growth”Economic growth is slowing — so Trump wants to redefine “economic growth”
Politics

The White House is promising to manipulate economic data.

By Eric Levitz
Policy
Can anyone stop the french fry cartel?Can anyone stop the french fry cartel?
Podcast
Policy

The anti-trust battle between diners and Big French Fry, briefly explained.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen
Future Perfect
OpenAI’s new anti-jobs programOpenAI’s new anti-jobs program
Future Perfect

The company’s Stargate project will create lots of opportunities. But not for humans.

By Kelsey Piper
Trump Administration
Is Donald Trump’s agenda actually popular?Is Donald Trump’s agenda actually popular?
Trump Administration

Here’s what the data says.

By Christian Paz
Explain It to Me
Your brain is lying to you about the “good old days”Your brain is lying to you about the “good old days”
Explain It to Me

The science behind why we think the past was better than the present.

By Bryan Walsh
Politics
The president who could not chooseThe president who could not choose
Politics

Joe Biden’s fatal flaw led to four years of weakness.

By Dylan Matthews
Explain It to Me
Why do people think Republicans are better for the economy?Why do people think Republicans are better for the economy?
Explain It to Me

Since World War II, the economy has, on average, fared better when Democrats are in the White House.

By Abdallah Fayyad
Future Perfect
Is AI progress slowing down?Is AI progress slowing down?
Future Perfect

Maybe — but it matters much less than you think.

By Kelsey Piper
World Politics
France’s government just collapsed. What does that actually mean?France’s government just collapsed. What does that actually mean?
World Politics

The political crisis is months in the making

By Ellen Ioanes
Trump 2.0, explained
Trump’s tariff plan is an inflation planTrump’s tariff plan is an inflation plan
Trump 2.0, explained

New tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China could make life more expensive.

By Ellen Ioanes
Policy
Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?
Policy

Some pronatalists say we should end financial penalties for couples who tie the knot.

By Rachel Cohen Booth
Future Perfect
Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?
Future Perfect

The growing chasm in American meat consumption, explained.

By Kenny Torrella
Technology
There’s never been a better time to buy a used phoneThere’s never been a better time to buy a used phone
Technology

Buying refurbished devices saves you money — and helps the planet.

By Adam Clark Estes
Trump 2.0, explained
Trump loves tariffs. Will the rest of America?Trump loves tariffs. Will the rest of America?
Trump 2.0, explained

If enacted, his plan could remake world trade — and squeeze US consumers.

By Haleema Shah and Noel King
Trump 2.0, explained
What to buy before Trump makes everything more expensiveWhat to buy before Trump makes everything more expensive
Trump 2.0, explained

Tariffs and rebate cuts are coming for your favorite gadgets and appliances.

By Adam Clark Estes
Money
How Big Toilet Paper dupes us allHow Big Toilet Paper dupes us all
Money

The wild, nonsensical world of toilet paper math, explained.

By Whizy Kim
Trump 2.0, explained
Trump’s tariffs could tank the economy. Will the Supreme Court stop them?Trump’s tariffs could tank the economy. Will the Supreme Court stop them?
Trump 2.0, explained

President-elect Trump is his own worst enemy, unless his fellow Republicans on the Supreme Court intervene.

By Ian Millhiser
World Politics
Germany’s political upheaval, explainedGermany’s political upheaval, explained
World Politics

There are economic reasons behind the ruling coalition’s collapse on Wednesday.

By Ellen Ioanes
2024 Elections
Why Democrats couldn’t sell a strong economy, in 3 chartsWhy Democrats couldn’t sell a strong economy, in 3 charts
2024 Elections

Top-line indicators pointed to cooling inflation and a strong economy. What did Democrats miss?

By Nicole Narea
Today, Explained podcast
Why Trump and Republicans think they have a chance in NevadaWhy Trump and Republicans think they have a chance in Nevada
Podcast
Today, Explained podcast

Nevada has voted blue since 2008. Will that change this year?

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Future Perfect
Why some economists are skeptical of this year’s NobelistsWhy some economists are skeptical of this year’s Nobelists
Future Perfect

Did they actually figure out why nations fail?

By Dylan Matthews
Climate
Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina. Helene just drowned it.Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina. Helene just drowned it.
Climate

Hurricane Helene exposed the vulnerable underbelly of the global chip industry.

By Adam Clark Estes
Policy
Trump and Harris could raise taxes without asking Congress. Congress should stop them.Trump and Harris could raise taxes without asking Congress. Congress should stop them.
Policy

Why are tariffs the only tax that Congress doesn’t need to approve?

By Dylan Matthews
Economy
If interest rates go down, do home prices go down? Not quite.If interest rates go down, do home prices go down? Not quite.
Economy

The Fed has cut interest rates. That might not immediately help home buyers waiting on the sidelines.

By Nicole Narea
Future Perfect
Do the benefits of the expanded child tax credit actually fade with time?Do the benefits of the expanded child tax credit actually fade with time?
Future Perfect

A new study argues the long-run benefits outweigh the costs nearly 10 to 1.

By Oshan Jarow