Marketplace

What happens to government debt, the budget deficit, and the overall economy if interest rates stay elevated? For a new report, the Congressional Budget Office crunched the numbers. By 2056, public debt would grow to an eye-popping 222% of GDP. Plus: Trump administration cuts decimated soil conservation programs, a new report highlights the impact of private equity investments on climate risk, and an uneventful Trump-Xi summit ends with a promise of more talks to come.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

TTYL? Trump-Xi talks end without much to show
What happens to the deficit and the national debt if interest rates stay high?
U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump’s federal cuts. Now they’re hurting for help
Private equity gets a grade on climate risks

As Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh attempts to limit forward guidance, analysts are zeroed in on other Fed officials’ public comments. Turns out, they’ve got plenty to say. In this episode, central bankers make their voices heard. Plus: Layoffs push workers to pivot careers entirely, catastrophe modelers warn a strong El Niño is brewing, and potato farmers struggle in the wake of an excellent growing season.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Kevin Warsh is against forward guidance. But that hasn't stopped other Fed officials
Laid off? Odds are a change of job title's in your future
A "historic" El Niño is brewing and catastrophe modelers are mapping out the risks
A spectacular 2025 growing season was not so great for potato farmers this year

Bad news first: Mortgage rates are topping 7% and, fittingly, mortgage applications are down. On the bright side, home prices aren’t completely frozen and listings are actually up. Question is, in this stuck housing market, when will things budge? Also in this episode: A running resurgence parallels popularity peaks in the aughts and ‘80s, Nashville-style hot chicken sees international success, and writer Robin Wigglesworth argues the bond market built the modern world in his new book, “A Fabulous Debt.”

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

U.S. mortgage rates climb above 7% in another blow to housing market
Bonds are like the “hidden wiring connecting the global economy”
Why everyone is running all of a sudden
Like weddings, concerts are now destination affairs
The global appeal of Nashville hot chicken

Diesel costs have nearly doubled over the last year, breaking record highs. In fact, some lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to halt all diesel exports until they cool off. But experts say it's a recipe for price chaos that will leave us right back where we started. Also in this episode: A wide crude oil spread persists, butter and cheese become a bright spot on grocery receipts, and local bank consolidations leave customers frustrated.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

The difference between the "paper" price of Brent crude and what refiners pay for it
Trump and Xi meet this week. What can we expect?
As grocery prices rise, cheese and butter get cheaper
"Not such a good idea": How banning diesel exports to lower prices could backfire
As banks consolidate, some customers aren’t so sure they’re happy

President Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, and AI safety is likely to define the agenda. But what about those pesky tariffs? In this episode, we lay out the fraught trade relationship between the U.S. and China. Plus: Airlines trim their flight schedules to combat high fuel prices, the price of copper may tell us less about global economic growth than it used to, and Ohio cities court recent grads looking for job opportunities and affordability.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Trade tensions between U.S. and China simmer ahead of Trump-Xi summit
Is "Dr. Copper" becoming less reliable?
Starting a new career? Start in Ohio, report says
Airlines are trimming routes as fuel prices soar
Sorry brunch, but you're old news