Debt & Deficits

Inflation enters the economy in stages and we are now in the second stage. This is when things start to get REALLY ugly for the economy. Let me explain.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the world economy is at risk of another financial meltdown. Here's why.

The Fed plans to increase rates to 2.5% in December so this should start putting a great deal of pressure on the U.S. economy over the next few years. Furthermore, the debt service the U.S. Treasury has to pay also increases as rates rise.

Here are some of the more interesting U.S. trade wars, and how they compare to the current spat that is evolving with major trade partners:

Most people are not experts on the subject of trade so perceptions of trade relationships in the public eye are still a crucial indicator of how one's country is doing vs. each other. If the majority of Americans think they are getting the short end of the stick on international trade, this sentiment ultimately affects how politicians campaign, how policy decisions are made, and the success of the wider economy. Today’s chart, breaks down the data from a recent Gallup poll on how Americans view the country’s trade relationships.

As an economist who studies international trade, I thought it'd be instructive to explore the trade relationships the U.S. has with each partner to show just how important they are - and what would be the consequences of a full-blown trade war.

It continues to be baffling beyond words how Canada has ended up being among the Trump administration's "most wanted" trade villains. In a client note, Doug Porter, the chief economist at the Bank of Montreal, set aside his usual analysis for a "rant" that pretty much demolished the argument that Canada is the trade villain Trump makes us out to be.

We are now on the eve of an economic crisis of unfathomable proportions due to an insoluble debt problem. Holding precious metals will be invaluable insurance to survive this crisis financially.

The entire world went into debt for the equivalent of tropical vacations and, having now enjoyed them, realizes it must pay the bill. The resources to do so do not yet exist so, in the time-honored tradition of lenders everywhere, we extend and pretend - but with our ability to pretend almost gone, we’re heading to the Great Reset.

Canada isn't taking President Donald Trump's decision to hit the country with steel and aluminum tariffs lying down. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on $12.8 billion worth of US goods in response to Trump's metals tariffs effective July 1 and will stay in place until the US removes the steel and aluminum restrictions. . The biggest losers from the US-Canada trade fight are industrial states in the Midwest.