An unfiltered look into The Economy. https://linktr.ee/EconYaphttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5n4m3wsp2mRepublicans delayed most Medicaid changes until 2027, but health costs are already shaping the midterms. Expired ACA subsidies and state Medicaid changes have raised pressure on some households. Democrats are making health care affordability a central campaign issue. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/03/gop-plan-to-punt-health-care-cuts-didnt-work-0110538405 Oct 2026 19:20 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5n4m3wsp2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5mclgmi32uEnergy Innovation estimates recent federal policy changes will add about $6,500 to average household energy costs through 2040. The group says reduced clean energy investment will raise demand for natural gas and gasoline. The White House disputes the analysis. https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/households-pay-energy-trumps-policy-tank-136940136?cid=social_twitter_abcn05 Oct 2026 19:05 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5mclgmi32uhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5leeovbp2qBritain is weighing tariffs on Chinese EV imports amid concerns over subsidised competition. Ministers could match the EU’s levy, according to The Times. The UK government says no tariffs have been imposed and talks with industry continue. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-expected-impose-tariffs-chinese-electric-cars-times-reports-2026-10-04/?taid=6ac2cc84d67e050001c6de0005 Oct 2026 18:48 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5leeovbp2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5jr6o7x422President Trump pressed South Korea to commit to a $50 billion Alaska LNG project, warning it could face higher costs if it delays. Seoul says participation is still under review. The dispute adds uncertainty to broader U.S.-South Korea investment talks. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/05/trump-alaska-lng-south-korea-pay.html?taid=20b5e7d6-0654-44f2-8e3b-24dd5edeff7305 Oct 2026 18:19 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5jr6o7x422https://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5i5yf3rf26US and India trade talks have stalled as room for compromise narrows. Potential US tariffs over Russian oil make a deal harder. India faces a tradeoff between energy costs and access to its largest export market. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-us-have-reached-plateau-trade-talks-indian-finance-minister-says-2026-10-05/05 Oct 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5i5yf3rf26https://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx5bnqy4ft2mFrance and Germany want a rapid EU tool to counter economic pressure from abroad. The measure could let the bloc respond faster to harmful trade actions. Europe is seeking stronger defenses as trade becomes more confrontational. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/france-germany-propose-new-rapid-eu-trade-response-tool-2026-10-05/05 Oct 2026 15:54 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx5bnqy4ft2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mx4vbbo4ss2uU.S. household spending rose 6.1% over the year through August, helping drive growth. Inflation accounted for just over half the increase, while real spending climbed 2.6%. Consumers keep spending despite weak sentiment, though low savings and rising debt could slow the pace.05 Oct 2026 12:13 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx4vbbo4ss2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwvi6spefx2wEuro zone inflation rose to 3.8% in September as energy and food costs climbed. Core inflation also edged higher as services prices increased. The surge keeps pressure on the ECB to raise rates again. https://www.reuters.com/business/euro-zone-inflation-surges-keeping-pressure-ecb-hike-2026-10-02/02 Oct 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvi6spefx2whttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwvgymcgab25World food prices reached their highest level in nearly four years in September. Weather and trade disruptions lifted crop prices. FAO warns sustained pressure could raise consumer food costs. https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-september-un-says-2026-10-02/ 02 Oct 2026 13:09 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvgymcgab25https://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwtfa356v52sAustralia banned card payment surcharges to lower consumer costs. Some businesses are raising prices instead to absorb payment fees. The central bank expects only a small one-time inflation effect. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-businesses-raise-prices-card-surcharge-ban-takes-effect-2026-10-01/01 Oct 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtfa356v52shttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwqxho3uvi2iChina’s factory activity returned to expansion in September, ending two months of contraction. Production strengthened while new orders held up, though export demand softened slightly. The improvement comes as China rolls out new measures to support growth. https://apnews.com/article/china-manufacturing-economy-pmi-exports-b53c7e697fc842de4c9a57ac5362cd0530 Sep 2026 18:20 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqxho3uvi2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwqw4vvum52oCanada’s GDP was flat in July after three months of growth, while Statistics Canada’s advance estimate points to a 0.2% gain in August. Construction rose, but manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade weakened. New US tariffs add fresh uncertainty to the outlook. https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/canada-gdp-indicates-pick-up-after-stalling-in-july-c4bf9b6530 Sep 2026 17:56 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqw4vvum52ohttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwqveukvuc2bUS private payrolls rose 90,000 in September, beating the 70,000 forecast, ADP reported. August growth was revised down to 36,000. https://www.reuters.com/business/us-private-payrolls-growth-picks-up-september-adp-says-2026-09-30/30 Sep 2026 17:43 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqveukvuc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwqezvsfho2uTreasury will automatically create Trump Accounts for more than 60 million children under 18, expanding access beyond families that opt in. The $1,000 contribution for eligible newborns still requires an election. New rules also allow certain appreciated stock donations. https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/treasury-will-auto-enroll-60-million-in-trump-accounts-a5f8242130 Sep 2026 12:50 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqezvsfho2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwo5jnufwh2oAmericans are growing more pessimistic as high prices and stagnant wages weigh on confidence. The Conference Board's index fell 6.7 points in September. Consumers also grew more negative about current conditions and the outlook. https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-inflation-economy-gas-prices-b9429c6d4f025d00e6283bfde4e0197d29 Sep 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwo5jnufwh2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwo36mu5up22Australia raised its policy rate 25 basis points to 4.6%, the highest in 15 years and the fourth increase this year. The RBA said Middle East conflict is adding to inflation through higher fuel and transport costs. Inflation was 3.5% in July, above the 2-3% target. https://www.ft.com/content/5c1dc583-5c88-4e91-a6b8-b62a6b33f74c?syn-25a6b1a6=129 Sep 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwo36mu5up22https://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnwrzui6e2oMiddle East oil exports have rebounded to nearly 13 million barrels a day as more tankers move through Hormuz and bypass routes. Regional flows are back to just under 80% of prewar levels. Iran’s own exports remain blocked, weakening its leverage as escalation risks persist https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/middle-east-oil-exports-rebound-as-irans-chokehold-on-hormuz-breaks-down-4ffde65529 Sep 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnwrzui6e2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnwmzzr5c2nPresident Trump denied offering Iran sanctions relief or access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions. Axios and CNN reported that relief was possible if Tehran made concrete nuclear progress. US-Iran talks through mediators resumed Monday. https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-denies-offering-iran-sanctions-relief-nuclear-concessions-2026-09-29/?taid=6abb8068c3ffd80001b655bd29 Sep 2026 13:27 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnwmzzr5c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnw2y6z442uKevin Hassett said US growth could run near 4% absent outside disruptions. The administration has targeted at least 3% growth, while private economists expect closer to 2%. Hassett also said outside shocks could complicate plans to cut the deficit to 3% of GDP. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-28/hassett-says-outside-factors-could-upset-growth-deficit-goals29 Sep 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnw2y6z442uhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnv6j3odg2nTreasury is moving to curb ETF strategies used to defer or reduce capital-gains taxes. New guidance says certain 351 conversion transactions are taxable under existing law. Officials also flagged box spreads, dividend timing and other ETF tax strategies for possible rules. https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/taxes/treasury-takes-aim-at-tax-avoiding-investment-strategies-b178ca4029 Sep 2026 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnv6j3odg2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnsw6yomw2oThe US banned nearly $1 billion of Canadian imports on Tuesday. The move deepens a trade dispute already marked by tariffs and retaliation. The standoff also threatens efforts to renew the North American trade pact. https://apnews.com/article/canada-us-trade-ban-tariffs-bdb4d9b946e98f84088c5c0f7f52258829 Sep 2026 12:21 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnsw6yomw2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwnsestrsk24China cut a key central bank lending rate by 0.25 percentage points. It also expanded credit support for infrastructure and businesses. China will subsidize eligible first-home mortgage interest from October 1. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-unveils-rate-cut-mortgage-subsidies-spur-growth-2026-09-29/29 Sep 2026 12:11 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnsestrsk24https://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwm32zoaeg2uThe IRS hired Joseph Velli as a senior advisor to help administer Trump Accounts. The tax-deferred accounts are designed for children under 18 to build long-term savings. Children born from 2025 through 2028 can receive a one-time $1,000 US Treasury deposit. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/28/irs-trump-accounts-joseph-velli.html28 Sep 2026 19:41 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwm32zoaeg2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/econyap.bsky.social/post/3mwm2tmrged22Zimbabwe cut its benchmark rate to 27.5% from 30%, its second straight reduction. Inflation rose to 3.7% as oil prices climbed, but the central bank still expects it below 7% by year-end. Zimbabwe's economy is forecast to grow 5% in 2026. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-28/zimbabwe-cuts-rates-against-global-tide-as-iran-risks-persist28 Sep 2026 19:37 +0000at://did:plc:bepbav5mymrznkcdzaocuoje/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwm2tmrged22