Help power Marketplace this winter when you support the show today. Donate Now!

Are trade deficits bad for an economy?

Mar 6, 2018
President Donald Trump was back on the topic of trade today. Taking questions at the White House, he said that the United States “has been taken advantage of” on trade. And he doubled down on his promise to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. They are needed, he said, because of trade deficits. But […]

What would happen if we reduced trade deficits quickly?

Nov 14, 2017
Fresh from his trip to Asia, President Donald Trump today tweeted that things must change when it comes to trade. “The United States has to be treated fairly and in a reciprocal fashion. The massive trade deficits must go down quickly!” he wrote. Now, most economists disagree with the president on whether the current U.S. […]

Fact-checking Trump’s latest tweet on the economy

Apr 26, 2017
Key to President Trump’s tax plans announced today is accelerated economic growth. That’s probably one reason the president took to Twitter this morning to complain about modest growth in 2016. He said trade deficits were to blame. “Trade deficits hurt the economy very badly” he wrote. But economists say that’s not really right.  Click the audio […]
A crane is reflected in a puddle as containers are unloaded. 
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images