Peter Morici

Powell’s risks of pausing interest rate increases too soon

Earlier this month, Federal Reserve policymakers again raised interest rates but indicated they are prepared to pause any further tightening. Published May 16, 2023

Biden’s industrial policy will create bureaucratic morass

It's long overdue, but America has a 21st-century industrial policy. Unfortunately, it could do more harm than good. Published May 9, 2023

Leveraging European markets to end war in Ukraine and ease tensions over Taiwan

The United States needs detente with China in the Pacific -- lest the new Cold War morph into a kinetic conflict over Taiwan and control of the maritime commerce through the vital South China Sea. Published May 2, 2023

Tougher bank regulations won’t head off next financial crisis

The Silicon Valley Bank collapse has provoked the usual caterwauling about bank regulation. But tougher rules could do more harm than good and likely won't avert the next crisis. Published April 25, 2023

America would be lucky to have only a cold war with China

Foreign policy elites are fretting about a cold war with China, but we should be thankful if that's all we get. Published April 18, 2023

Powell faces tough road maintaining independent Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve Chairman Powell faces a tough road fending off politicians who like easy money, maintaining stability in the banking system and lowering inflation to 2%. Published April 11, 2023

How to fix banks without more regulation

The Silicon Valley Bank debacle should not be a siren call for more bank regulation. Published April 4, 2023

West needs new trade system to confront threats posed by Russia and China

Business leaders, politicians and intellectuals are bewailing death threats to globalization and blaming populists and nationalists like former President Donald Trump for erecting barriers to commerce. Published March 28, 2023

Blame Biden’s big spending for wages not keeping pace with inflation

Wages aren't keeping up with inflation, and that will be a headache for President Biden in 2024. Published March 21, 2023

Federal courts, not state ones, should decide congressional redistricting disputes

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether state legislatures have ultimate authority for drawing congressional district boundaries or those can be appealed to state courts. Published March 14, 2023

Biden’s losing Cold War strategies

The United States is in a new Cold War with China -- and something more with Russia -- but President Biden's overreliance on sanctions and protectionism is self-defeating. Published March 7, 2023

There can be no genuine budget discipline without entitlement reform

Inflation is proving tougher to curb than Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell anticipated or, with an eye toward the next election, President Biden is inclined to admit. Published February 28, 2023

What America needs to hear from Ron DeSantis

American presidential politics needs a shake-up. Enter Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Published February 21, 2023

ChatGPT is coming for your soul

OpenAI's third edition of ChatGPT is impressive -- and frightening. Published February 14, 2023

Put an end to hard left’s debt ceiling demagoguery

Americans are enduring another episode of debt ceiling demagoguery. Published February 7, 2023

Refuse child tax credit to adults who won’t work

With Republicans and Democrats holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, budget negotiations will involve a lot of horse-trading. Published January 31, 2023

Fed must keep raising interest rates until inflation is at or below 2%

These days an economist can't cross the street without being asked if a recession is coming. The answer depends on how much inflation we are willing to tolerate. Published January 24, 2023

World Trade Organization is worse than useless

The World Trade Organization is failing in its mission. Published January 17, 2023

Confronting Russia and China requires offensive weapons for Ukraine

During the Cold War and its aftermath, U.S. security policy has been premised on defensive alliances -- NATO and similar arrangements in the Middle East and Asia. Published January 10, 2023