Weekly Econ Articles
Sugar, French Holidays, Jorts, and OJ
Public Choice and Government Failure: Trump throws the sugar industry a fresh lifeline with new restriction on imports | Quartz
The Trump administration is working to reduce sugar imports to protect domestic sugar farmers, who have lost 15% of their market to foreign imports despite a 4+ decade policy of sugar tariffs and guaranteed sugar pricing. And the recent OBBB raised the guaranteed price per pound of sugar from 20 cents to 27 cents. That will make CocaCola’s rumored plan to switch US Coke back to real sugar more expensive.
➡️ Check out more resources on guaranteed sugar prices in our Price Ceilings and Floors Unit Plan.
Fiscal Policy, Taxes and Government Budget: French PM looks to scrap two public holidays in bold bid to cut national debt | BBC
The French PM wants to slash 2 public holidays, freeze spending (except on defense), end some tax breaks, and reduce the number of civil servants. But his plan to cut holidays risks a no-confidence vote. It's never easy to reduce the budget.
Inflation: Inflation picks up again in June, rising at 2.7% annual rate | CNBC
Apparel and household furnishings prices rose last month, while vehicle prices fell.
Price Discrimination: Delta moves toward eliminating set prices in favor of AI that determines how much you personally will pay for a ticket | Fortune
Delta is using AI to help it approximate first degree price discrimination for flight pricing.
Supply, Demand and Equilibrium: Jorts are powering Levi’s through tariff uncertainty | Morning Brew
Levi’s is benefiting from a demand shift–consumers are all in on 90s denim.
Trade and Specialization: Coffee, orange juice prices may spike under Trump’s Brazil tariffs | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
A threatened 50% tariff on Brazilian goods including coffee and orange juice has Brazilian farmers and US roasters concerned, as neither anticipates being able to absorb the cost.
Economic Growth: Argentina's Javier Milei Keeps Proving His Critics Wrong | Newsweek
Argentina posted a 7.6% annual growth rate in Q2 2025, its strongest in 2 decades. Monthly inflation for May clocked in at 1.5%, the lowest monthly rate in 5 years. Reforms including dismantling foreign exchange controls and ending rent control have served to boost the economy, but Argentina isn’t out of the woods just yet.