Want to Fix Inflation? Fix Supply
October 20, 2022An effective response to inflation – and to the more systemic supply demand mismatch that threatens the US economy – requires investment in supply. This is a project for the private sector. But the private sector needs a push from Washington.
With the Supply Crisis Accelerating, Industry Needs to Step Up Not Hunker Down
July 20, 2022For decades, bad habits have become entrenched. The country has allowed itself to auction off long-term economic prosperity in exchange for short-term profits. Now, the US must break its habits, not take false shelter in them.
Supply-Side Tools for a Supply-Side Problem
June 20, 2022An effective response to inflation – and to the more systemic supply demand mismatch that threatens the US economy – requires pairing the Fed’s monetary policy band-aids with investment in supply.
Factors and Markets Briefing: Week of May 23
May 29, 2022With record gas prices, squeezed agricultural producers, and stubborn labor crisis, the era of shortage is here to stay -- and likely worsen. Cue shifting consumer habits, Sri Lanka's default, and a move toward industrial integration (anti-trust be damned). Happy Memorial Day!
How Washington Can Resolve the Energy Crisis — for Today, and Tomorrow
May 23, 2022If Secretary Granholm wants more energy production, she should orient her relationship to industry around reshaping incentives to align tomorrow’s demand with today’s supply. She should make clear that incentives for increased production will continue next month, and the months after.
The Baby Formula Shortage Could Have Been Avoided. Let’s Make Sure the Next One Is
May 17, 2022The baby formula shortages shows the US entering an era of industrial dislocation, and competition, not seen in decades. The way for America to win in an era of shortage and a competition for supply chains is to recognize the hot spots – and then open the floodgates for industry to do its thing.
Factors Briefing: Week of May 9
May 14, 2022It's shortage everywhere: In agriculture, wheat is the latest victim, threatening tomorrow's food supply while a baby formula shortage wreaks havoc today; meanwhile, China eyes the aluminum vacuum and a South Korea x Canada collab tries to shore up tungsten dependencies.
In the Global Semiconductor Race, the US Should Remember to Tie Its Shoes
May 9, 2022Washington needs to invest not only in next-generation technological advance, but also into semiconductor production itself, and the materials necessary for it. Such investments are critical for a robust industrial base. They would also be diplomatically advantageous.
The Economy Is Shrinking. That’s Not a Good Thing.
April 29, 2022The optimistic take is first, that Washington sits at the perfect inflection point to adjust economic policies that contributed to this imbalance – and, second, that early indications suggest the private sector may already be taking the lead, whether Washington adjusts or not.
We Can Avoid Recession. But We Need to Fix Supply
April 22, 2022What if, in addition to immediate, demand-side monetary policy quick fixes, Washington was to set about investing in production of critical inputs, manufacturing facilities, and improved logistics systems? It’s entirely possible, and necessary.
Global Food Shortage Looms: The US Needs to Step Up
April 17, 2022The US needs to start thinking about food as a strategic resource, investing in and protecting supply accordingly, and doing so in a way updated for the realities of modern agriculture. That is what defending today's global order demands.
Factors Briefing: Week of March 28
April 1, 2022The Biden Administration's SPR release fails to address supply gaps -- but invocation of the Defense Production Act for critical minerals maybe does; Canada's abundant resource supply pushes it to the big stage in a new geopolitical environment
It’s Not Too Late for Washington to Learn Supply and Demand
April 1, 2022Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown that the US cannot afford to depend on geopolitical adversaries for critical factors. Instead, the US should be investing in domestic production that can not only prop up national resilience, but also that of allies and partners.
Don’t Forget the Build in Build Back Better
January 12, 2022American national defense faces a very different threat than it did in when the Defense Production Act was implemented in 1950. But mobilization of domestic production may be even more critical to today’s challenge – and to the future of the United States – than it was seven decades ago.
