Feb 26, 2018

02/26/2018: The post-America economy

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Organized labor was on the docket at the Supreme Court of the United States today in a case called Janus v. AFSCME, the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees. It's one of the biggest public employees union in the country, and at issue is whether public-sector unions can charge what are called "fair-share fees" to workers who aren't dues-paying members of the union. We'll start today's show by getting you caught up, because this case has implications far beyond the workplace. Then: What happens if the Trump administration keeps pulling the country back from global engagements? We'll look at the world economy, post-America. Plus, a little pizza party.

Segments From this episode

What the world economy might look like without the U.S.

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Feb 26, 2018

America is less interested in leading the global economy, says the Peterson Institute president. And that could mean trouble.

“The U.S. doesn't always do the right thing,” says Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “But on average, it both tries to do the right thing and professes to do the right thing more credibly than anybody else.” Above, a trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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As elections approach, Italians are concerned over young adults still living with parents

by Stephen Beard

Feb 26, 2018

Many of the “bamboccioni” are compelled to stay at home for economic reasons, even if they're employed, some say.

Domiziana Dominiconi and Martina Antonini, both 21, are so-called "bamboccioni," young Italian adults still living with their parents.

Stephen Beard/Marketplace

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The Trump Administration’s options around tariffs and quotas

by Tracey Samuelson

Feb 26, 2018

The Trump Administration is trying to figure out how to act on a campaign promise to make trade with China more fair. One thing the administration is considering is imposing tariffs or quotas on imports of steel and aluminum. The justification? National security. Here’s a look at the theory behind that connection, and the administration’s […]

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Why Pepperoni Rules Pizza Commercials

by Kai Ryssdal and Josie Fan

Feb 26, 2018

Pepperoni has been the main character for pizza commercial for decades. Why? Danielle Sepulveres, a freelance writer, explained in an interview with Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal “Pepperoni does look great on camera, and it does look good on commercials even if you don’t want pepperoni,” Sepulveres said. You can read Sepulvere’s article here. Click the […]

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Organized labor was on the docket at the Supreme Court of the United States today in a case called Janus v. AFSCME, the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees. It’s one of the biggest public employees union in the country, and at issue is whether public-sector unions can charge what are called “fair-share fees” to workers who aren’t dues-paying members of the union. We’ll start today’s show by getting you caught up, because this case has implications far beyond the workplace. Then: What happens if the Trump administration keeps pulling the country back from global engagements? We’ll look at the world economy, post-America. Plus, a little pizza party.