Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes:

Brexit ... but make it American Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Nearly a decade after Brexit, the British economy is still feeling the fallout. Now, President Donald Trump seems to be pulling from a similar playbook — with tariffs that could reshape the U.S. economy in eerily familiar ways. (Shocker, we know!) But first: Trump threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador. The constitutional crisis alarm bells are ringing. Plus, poop in space is a bigger problem than you might think.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Trump again threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador" from Axios

"Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter

"Trump admin shrinks federal Medicaid funding available to states" from Axios

"HHS Lays Off All Full-Time Cruise Ship Health Inspectors Amid Illness Outbreaks: Report" from The Huffington Post

"NASA offers $3M in competition to recycle human poop in space" from UPI

"How Brexit, a Startling Act of Economic Self-Harm, Foreshadowed Trump’s Tariffs" from The New York Times

"Meet the Comedian Putting Trump Voter Regret to Music" from Rolling Stone

Got a question for our hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Selling America Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Amid this week’s tariff turmoil, U.S. stocks tumbled, U.S. Treasurys sold off, and the U.S. dollar weakened. Kai explains what this triple sell-off could mean for the future of the American economy. And, is the era of cheap stuff in America over? Donald Trump administration officials are arguing it’s a good thing. We’ll get into it. Plus, we’ll weigh in on penguin memes and using public phones during a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Treasury Secretary Bessent says the American dream is not about 'access to cheap goods'" from CNBC

"Cheap Consumer Goods Are the American Dream, Actually" from Bloomberg

"The Trump administration says cheap goods aren’t part of the American dream. They’re wrong." from Vox

"The bond market is acting weird. It spooked Trump" from CNN Business

"After Trump’s Tariffs, Stocks Plunged but Penguin Memes Ticked Up" from The New York Times

"More students opt for certificates as undergraduate degree earners decline" from Marketplace

"A Frenzy at Trader Joe’s: ‘Everyone’s Here for the Tote Bags’" from The New York Times

"The Masters offers public phones as alternatives to cellphones. Here's what attendees think" from Fast Company

Got a question for our hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Your hot takes on this week's tariff insanity Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Today, it’s all YOU! We’re diving into the mailbag to play your voicemails, read your comments, and answer your questions after a wild week of tariff insanity. We’ll hear from YOU on how you’ve been riding the economic uncertainty. Plus, is Trump’s tariff pause, really a pause? And a listener shares what it’s been like teaching elementary students about tariffs.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“US-China Trade War Tariffs: An Up-to-Date Chart” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics

“The Fiscal and Economic Effects of the Revised April 9 Tariffs” from The Budget Lab at Yale

Million Bazillion by Marketplace

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Another day, another tariff switch-up Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

The world woke up to a very different economy today. Then, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on some of his tariffs. The news was announced as the official in charge of U.S. trade policy was testifying on Capitol Hill. We’ll break down the trade official’s tense exchange with lawmakers and the real consequences of this week’s market madness. Plus, we’ll laugh so we don’t cry about the economy.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"U.S. Trade Rep. Testifies on Pres. Trump's Trade & Tariff Agenda" from CSPAN

"Live updates: Trump orders 90-day pause on new tariffs except for China" from CNN

Bluesky post from Jeva Lange

How are you coping with the tariff whiplash? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Move over taco Tuesday! Tariff Tuesday is here Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

You may be wondering whether the prices of your go-to products, from avocados to smartphones, will be raised by tariffs in the coming weeks. We hear you! On the show today, Martha Gimbel, executive director of the Budget Lab at Yale, gives us a broad view of the tariff landscape, how the prices of certain consumer goods could change, and how Trump’s trade agenda could impact the American economy in the long run. Plus, why a trade deficit isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Then, we’ll smile about the joy of listening to kids learn to talk. And, Carrie Lane, author of “More Than Pretty Boxes: How the Rise of Professional Organizing Shows Us the Way We Work Isn’t Working,” answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Tariffs on China set to rise to at least 104% on Wednesday, White House says" from CNN Business

"Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500 Swing Wildly; Trump Threatens More China Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal

"What is the status of the Trump administration's tariffs?" from Marketplace

"Where We Stand: The Fiscal, Economic, and Distributional Effects of All U.S. Tariffs Enacted in 2025 Through April 2" from The Budget Lab at Yale

"Trump Tariff Tracker" from the Atlantic Council

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Is the tide turning against Trump’s tariffs? Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Global markets are reeling after President Trump’s latest tariff announcement last week, prompting business executives like JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to speak out against Trump’s trade agenda. This comes just a few months after Dimon previously said to “get over” Trump’s tariff threats. Kai has thoughts. Plus, we’ll get into how long it could take for global trade to rebalance and what some conservative think tanks are saying about all the tariff upheaval.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns Tariffs Will Raise Prices, Slow Growth” from The Wall Street Journal

“Jamie Dimon says Trump's tariff policy is positive for national security so people should 'get over it'“ from CNBC

“New tariffs could spell major trouble for global economy” from the Competitive Enterprise Institute

“Trump’s Tariffs Are an Economic Emergency for Americans” from the American Enterprise Institute

“Brace for Impact, America. Trump’s Tariffs Will Soon Hit Your Bank Accounts” from the Cato Institute

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Can you tariff-proof a cocktail? Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

On this edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly and Sabri discuss how it’s nearly impossible to tariff-proof your shopping list (or cocktail) because of the way our global economy works. They also get into why reshoring might be easier said than done. Plus, could Congress claw back some of the authority on tariffs? And the hosts weigh in on this season of “White Lotus” in a round of Half-Full/Half-Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“These cocktails and wines could get pricier if Trump imposes tariffs” from The Washington Post

“US Senate Republican pushes to require congressional approval for new tariffs” by Reuters

“House Republican moves to rein in tariff powers” by Politico

“Powell Warns Trump’s Tariffs Risk Stoking Even Higher Inflation and Slower Growth” from The New York Times

“The Revolving Restaurant Is Back Again (and Again)” from The New York Times

“Americans Rush to Buy TVs, Soy Sauce, Lululemon Workout Gear” from The Wall Street Journal

“This Financial Firm Can Give Investment Advice in Gen Z Slang, No Cap” from The Wall Street Journal

‘The White Lotus” Season 3 finale: How to watch, plus what we know about Season 4 from Yahoo Entertainment

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Our post-tariff takeaways Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on American imports, with the levies coming in higher than expected. Do we need to be stockpiling our carts to get in front of rising costs? We asked economists how they’re personally preparing for higher prices. Plus, Reema and Kimberly unpack international responses as countries buckle up to negotiate — or take retaliatory measures. Also, why are we putting tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Tariffs Will Hit All U.S. Imports. Price Hikes for These Items May Surprise You” from The Wall Street Journal

“Tariff-related layoffs hit five US auto plants that supply factories in Canada and Mexico” from CNN Business

“Sweeping Trump tariffs shock global economy, draw calls for talks” by AP News

Watch: “In Full: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responds to new US tariffs” by ABC News Australia on YouTube

“‘Nowhere on Earth is safe’: Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica” by The Guardian

“The Blunt Force Trauma of the Trump Tariffs” from Wired

“Support Grows for President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan” from The White House

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Trump’s tariff test. Will it work? Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Keyed to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement today, Kimberly and Sabri unpack some of the messaging about the impact tariffs had during the president’s first term and explain why many of those claims are overblown. Plus, why we’re smiling about Sen. Cory Booker’s historic speech and how Sabri fell victim to April Fools’ Day shenanigans! (Note: This episode was recorded prior to Trump’s speech.)

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Trump’s Tariffs Make the Fed’s Interest Rate Decisions Tougher” from The New York Times

“Tariffs Work — and President Trump’s First Term Proves It” from The White House

“Economic View: Tariffs Have Strengthened the U.S. Economy” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America

“Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries” from the United States International Trade Commission

“ITC Study Proves Effectiveness of China Tariffs on Boosting Domestic Production, Reducing Dependence on Imports” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America

“Home Depot to Charge For Parking to Combat Inflation” by Pro Tool Reviews

“Booker sets new record for longest Senate floor speech” from Roll Call

@kimberlyadams.bsky.social‬ via Bluesky

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The problem with running the government like a business Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

The idea that the government should be run more like a business isn’t new. But with two businessmen, Donald Trump and Elon Musk, now taking a proverbial chainsaw to the federal bureaucracy all in the name “efficiency,” this theory is being put to the test. While it’s an appealing idea, Philip Joyce, professor of public policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said governments can’t afford to take risks the way businesses can. On the show today, Joyce explains the origins of the idea that the government should be run like a business, how we define “success” differently for the two entities, and how the way Trump and Musk do business is showing up in the White House.

Then, we’ll break down the high stakes of today’s special elections in Wisconsin and Florida. Plus, reflections on serendipitous moments in walkable communities and what we gain by admitting we were wrong.

Here’s everything we talked about today: