Erika Soderstrom

Associate Producer

Erika works with a group of extraordinary producers to chase business and economic stories heard on “Marketplace Morning Report.”

Latest from Erika Soderstrom

Jul 16, 2021
Further curbs on Hong Kong freedoms send fresh chill through U.S.-China relations
RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: As Hong Kong security laws continue to suppress pro-democracy protests and freedom of the press, China readies its response to reports of fresh U.S. sanctions. Plus: How violent protests in South Africa are crimping fuel supplies, and a look at gin’s evolution from “mother’s ruin” to a tipple of choice for drinkers around the world.
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Jul 15, 2021
Tweaking the balance of power between labor and employers
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Change is coming to the National Labor Relations Board — how might that affect how it does its work? Plus, we consider Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s latest pronouncements on inflation and a new study that makes a compelling economic case for improved early childhood education.
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Jul 15, 2021
Study underlines the economic importance of early childhood education
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Marketplace’s Chris Farrell says research based on the Perry Preschool Project shows broad, long-term benefits of early investment.
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Jul 15, 2021
South Africans struggle to find food and fuel as protests spiral
Luca Sola/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Widespread violence and ransacking of stores continues in South Africa, where protests sparked by the jailing of the country’s former president Jacob Zuma are being fueled by outrage about poverty, unemployment and inequality. Plus, why China’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has hit a speed bump; and the Asian palm oil giant Korindo is stripped of a green certification status over allegations it destroyed vast areas of rainforest to make way for plantations.
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Jul 15, 2021
What child tax credit payments mean to families
Philippe Huguen/Getty Images
Child tax credit deposits begin rolling out this week. We’ll hear from families about what the cash assistance will mean for them and from experts about whether this six-month program might stick around. Plus, news about product recalls, Amazon and just who should be responsible for doing the recalling. And Wall Street Journal reporter Gwynn Guilford joins us to assess how difficult it might be to control future inflation.
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Jul 14, 2021
And you thought inflation was hot for consumers
Mark Makela/Getty Images
U.S. producer prices surged in June, stoking investors’ concerns about the nature of the inflation. Plus, what we know so far about the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending proposal; the response from China to Treasury Secretary Yellen’s recent characterization of its “economic practices” as “unfair”; and how the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is working to encourage unbanked American households to open accounts — the effort is connected to the expanded child tax credit, which starts this week.
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Jul 14, 2021
“Super shoes” push athletes to records, fuel fresh competition controversy
From the BBC World Service: Former Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn speaks about fleeing Japan after being detained on allegations he understated his annual salary and misused company funds. Ghosn denies all claims. Plus, why a Nike shoe worn by record-smashing track and field athletes is coming under scrutiny.
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Jul 14, 2021
Why Chinese companies listing in the U.S. have the Chinese government so worried
STR/AFP via Getty Images
With increased oversight of major tech firms by Chinese regulators in recent days, whither a) China’s access to foreign capital and b) U.S. access to the Chinese market? Martin Chorzempa, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joins us to discuss. And: In pursuit of extra space, tourists with savings are splurging on the first-class cabin.
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Jul 13, 2021
Why California’s battery-supported grid is off to a slow start
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
California’s grid operator hoped new battery storage could prevent rolling blackouts in the state, but installation has been delayed. Plus, the digital copyright arrangement that got Google in trouble with France and Marketplace contributor Chris Farrell on why he believes putting cryptocurrency into a retirement portfolio is a bad idea.
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Jul 13, 2021
France slaps Google with $600 million fine over news publishing
Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Google’s news aggregator uses excerpts and headlines from publishers around the world. In France, publishers agreed a copyright deal with the tech giant, and the French competition regulator says Google acted in bad faith in those negotiations. Plus (staying in France), being vaccinated against COVID-19 will be mandatory for the country’s healthcare workers by mid-September. And: As we move towards a lower-carbon world, what’s in store for the global oil industry?
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