The Indicator from Planet Money - Why the Fed could lose $1.5 trillion

The Fed is on the hook for an estimated one-and-a-half trillion dollars. Despite the recent headlines, that's not because of building renovations. It's a much larger cost blowout caused by big actions taken during the pandemic to help the economy: quantitative easing.

Today on the show, we talk to both a critic of these actions and someone who helped put those those actions in play.

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Audio Mises Wire - Mother O’ Mercy! Is This the End of the Cal Bullet Train?

The Trump administration has withdrawn its promised $4 billion for the California Bullet Train project because this project does not have a viable future. While they may complete the 171-mile Central Valley portion, the rest of the project is dead in the water.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/mother-o-mercy-end-cal-bullet-train

Audio Mises Wire - Trump’s Tariff Ship Has Sailed: The Chinese Ship Levy

President Trump is proposing a $1.5 million levy on Chinese-built ships that enter US harbors. Since a majority of cargo ships have been produced by Chinese shipyards, the costs would be substantial. This action also would damage US exports, yet another unintended consequence of US policies.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/trumps-tariff-ship-has-sailed-chinese-ship-levy

Audio Mises Wire - The FTC versus Fortnite: “Consumer Protection” is Consumer Deception

The Federal Trade Commission has fined the makers of the video game Fortnite more than $500 million ostensibly for violations that have no legal basis. This is yet another case of the feds shaking down producers in the name of “consumer protection.”

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/ftc-versus-fortnite-consumer-protection-consumer-deception