Trade - Aussienomics

Elections

Oz Econ Pulse: Peter Dutton, Tradie shortage, Donald-25 mind virus, and Economists against tariffs

No doubt many of you are still enjoying a long Easter/ANZAC Day break, but for those of you pining for some economic news, here are a few bits of interest that caught my eye this week—starting with my comprehensive essay on Peter Dutton. Peter Dutton is a man

Monetary policy

The Trump Put lives on, A rate cut in May, Batteries for everyone, We're still reliant on luck, and Who drives in Australia

Just like that, and the tariff scare is over—or is it? Global markets rallied 5-10% yesterday because Trump, in the face of a near-certain recession and equity and bond market carnage, backed off and hit pause. So there is still a Trump Put! Markets can still discipline politicians to

Trade

Investment will suffer in the age of Trumpian uncertainty

Trump's unpredictability threatens global investment with chaos, zero-sum thinking, and rent-seeking, even if he winds back his tariffs.

Trade

Trump isn't playing 4D chess

He just really likes tariffs.

Penguins on the Heard and McDonald Islands.

Artificial intelligence

Government by AI

Did the Trump administration use AI to devise its tariffs?

Trade

Trump's Liberation Day

The US will impose a minimum 10% tariff on all of its trading partners, including Australia.

Budget

The unwanted Budget, Don't blame Alfred for inflation, Productivity not protectionism, You don't need six figures to afford rent, Dutton's dangerous idea, and Solar's Achilles' heel

Please note that I'm travelling internationally this week and will have limited access to a computer, so Aussienomics will be taking a short breather ahead of the inevitable chaos that will be the run-up to the federal election, which—if called by the end of this month—could

Trade

The Trump Slump, Full marks for Albo, Energy prices are telling us something, and Gittins it wrong on inflation (again)

The Trump Bump has officially become the Trump Slump, with the current US administration's incessant focus on tariffs contributing to one of their greatest tailspins of all time: The crash has been uniquely American: Markets are forward-looking—they reflect investor consensus of what's likely to happen

Deep Dives

The federal election, Trumpian uncertainty, Europe goes to war, and Australia's political productivity problem

Barring major cyclonic damage from Alfred as it barrels into Brisbane tomorrow morning—for those of you in its path, stay safe!—Albo appears all but certain to call an election on either Sunday or Monday, after the week's expenditure review committee (ERC) meetings were all reportedly cancelled.

Deep Dives

It's time for CANZUK

As the US swings towards isolationism, Australia must forge new alliances to safeguard its interests.

Deep Dives

The economic consequences of the peace

Trump's failed peace deal leaves Ukraine exposed, allies wary, and aggressors empowered.

Transport

Don't nationalise Rex, A blow for democracy, Will Trump tariff Australia, Beating megafires, and When billionaires feud

The Albanese government dropped a policy bomb on Sunday: a complete ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing established homes for two years. I would write something about it, but I already did when Dutton proposed the same policy a couple of weeks ago. TL;DR: it's