Join Big John and Mike ter Maat on Liberty Lens as they discuss breaking economic news: a potential U.S. recession signaled by negative GDP growth in Q1 2025. They explore the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s report of 0.3% annualized GDP contraction, rising inflation at 3.4%, and the impact of proposed tariffs on businesses and consumers. The hosts analyze how uncertainty drives inventory buildup and reduced durable goods purchases, while addressing the administration’s tariff policies, including a controversial Amazon pricing transparency issue. They also critique replacing income tax with tariff revenue and the White House’s media management. Tune in for an insightful discussion on economic trends and policy implications.
Join 2024 LP Vice Presidential candidate Mike Ter Maat and Big John as they discuss the week’s major news from a libertarian perspective on Liberty Lens.
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Chapters:
00:28 Breaking Economic News Overview
01:18 Defining a Recession
02:20 Bureau of Economic Analysis Report
03:45 Data Adjustments and Reliability
04:55 Q4 Growth vs. Q1 Contraction
05:49 Economic Uncertainty and Investment
07:44 Consumer Behavior and Imports
09:00 Inflation Trends in Q1 2025
10:49 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates
11:45 Policy Conflicts and Uncertainty
12:55 Egg and Gas Price Claims
14:04 Federal Reserve’s Role in Inflation
15:25 U.S. Manufacturing and Tariffs
17:26 Wage Growth and Economic Efficiency
19:17 Tariff Revenue vs. Income Tax
22:27 Tariff Mechanics and Consumer Impact
27:02 Amazon’s Tariff Transparency Issue
31:20 White House Overreach Concerns
36:08 Media Management Critique
42:46 Amazon’s Strategic Options
47:07 White House and Private Sector Relations
50:08 Market Reactions and Wrap-Up
