Apr 21, 2017

04/21/2017: Facts still matter

Adam Berry/Getty Images

President Trump said today his tax reform plan is gonna be ready on Wednesday. While we're waiting, it's worth talking about where exactly our tax dollars are going. A new website called USAFacts is trying to help folks get their hands on all that data. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is behind it, and he came on to chat. Plus: The Trump administration is taking on inversions and Canadian dairy trade rules while France takes on globalization. And, as always, we recap the week in economic news in about five minutes or less.

Segments From this episode

Steve Ballmer says numbers and facts still matter

by Kai Ryssdal

Apr 21, 2017

The former Microsoft CEO created USAFacts so you can see where your tax dollars go.

"Every day the government will spend money or receive money from taxpayers or it won't. And ultimately, I think people really do care as budgets get prepared, as people like to keep their jobs," Steve Ballmer said.

Adam Berry/Getty Images

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Corporate inversion rules go back on the table

by Adriene Hill

Apr 21, 2017

President Trump signed an order directing a review of all tax regulations that might unduly burden U.S. corporations. That could lead to a rollback of an Obama order that sought to limit corporate inversions — when a U.S. company moves its corporate address to a foreign country to pay lower taxes. A rollback would line […]

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Six things you need to know about the possible Hollywood writers strike

by Ben Bergman

Apr 21, 2017

TV and movie writers are fed up with declining pay as media companies make huge profits.

The last writers strike that ended in 2008 took 100 days to resolve. It's considered a foregone conclusion that most of the 12,000 or so Guild members will authorize a strike this time around if a new deal isn't reached.

David McNew/Getty Images

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French voters increasingly question globalization

by Stephen Beard

Apr 21, 2017

As electors go to the polls, a far-right candidate is urging protectionism and 'economic patriotism.'

Far-right supporters attend a presidential campaign rally by National Front leader Marine Le Pen at the Dome De Marseille on Wednesday.

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

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Dairy woes rattle U.S.-Canada relationship

by Aaron Schrank

Apr 21, 2017

President Trump is criticizing Canada over its recent pricing changes for dairy products that make some U.S. imports less competitive. The Trump administration said that’s hurting dairy farmers in states like Wisconsin and New York. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. Stories You Might Like 04/26/2017: Are you gonna report things […]

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Weekly Wrap

Weekly Wrap: How far do Trump's executive orders go?

by Kai Ryssdal

Apr 21, 2017

Rachel Abrams of the New York Times and David Gura of Bloomberg join us to discuss the week’s business and economic news. This week, they talk about whether the Trump administration can meet any of its major pledges before its first 100 days. Also, Trump has signed a lot of executive orders, but are they doing […]

President Trump with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, right, holds up the first of three executive orders concerning financial services today in Washington, D.C.

Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images

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President Trump said today his tax reform plan is gonna be ready on Wednesday. While we’re waiting, it’s worth talking about where exactly our tax dollars are going. A new website called USAFacts is trying to help folks get their hands on all that data. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is behind it, and he came on to chat. Plus: The Trump administration is taking on inversions and Canadian dairy trade rules while France takes on globalization. And, as always, we recap the week in economic news in about five minutes or less.