Opinion : Letter to the Editor: US Economy

Dear Editor, 

US Economy: Widespread campaign promises included Trump’s ability to bring down prices, especially groceries and gas, “on day 1”.  The January CPI was up 0.5% for month, exceeding consensus forecasts of 0.3% and December CPI increase of 0.4% for month.  Vance responded that price drops would take a bit of time.  Trump said to Time in December that "Look, they got [prices] up. I'd like to bring them down. It's hard to bring things down once they're up. You know, it's very hard. But I think that they will.”

Will tariffs bring down prices?   Will tax cuts to corporations and billionaires bring down prices?  Will Musk’s scorched-earth firings bring down prices?  Will Trumps proposed US invasion and ‘cleansing’ of Gaza bring down prices?  Will mass deportations of immigrant workers/consumers bring down prices?  Ummm…  “No” times 5!

Paul Smalley