Barron’s (May 14)
“If we’re lucky, this week’s summit in Beijing won’t produce any shocking headlines on Iran, Taiwan, or any of the other prickly issues that divide the U.S. and China.” Instead, Trump “should surprise Xi with an offer to open the U.S. market to Chinese cars.” This would “stabilize the relationship with China, relieve the affordability squeeze back home, and re-energize his grumbling electoral base.” Trump only has two choices. “He can watch as Chinese cars are sold everywhere except America, or he can allow them to be made in America, by Americans.”
Tags: Affordability, Beijing, China, Chinese cars, Grumbling, Iran, Made in America, Market, Stabilize, Summit, Taiwan, U.S., Xi
Newsweek (November 17)
U.S. families “are struggling to keep up with rising utility costs” amid “persistent high prices for many groceries and other items.” Rising utility debt “has developed into a significant economic and political issue, which may affect the White House administration’s credibility on affordability, especially as voters have cited cost-of-living as their top concern in recent elections.” Monthly energy bills have risen 12% between April and June of 2025, with “nearly one in 20 U.S. households now facing utility debt severe enough for collection agencies to become involved.”
Tags: Affordability, Cost of living, Credibility, Debt, Elections, Energy bills, Families, Groceries, High prices, Household, Struggling, U.S., Utility costs, Voters, White House
Newsweek (November 3)
“Only 28 out of every 1,000 U.S. homes changed hands between January and September 2025,” marking “the lowest rate since at least the early-mid 1990s.” Increasingly, “U.S. homeowners are staying put amid growing economic uncertainty and the ongoing affordability crisis.”
Tags: 1990s. Homeowners, 2025, 28, Affordability, Crisis, Economic uncertainty, Homes, January, Lowest rate, September, Staying put, U.S.
Washington Post (July 6)
While universities in the U.S. may be among the world’s best, 57% of Americans feel they do not provide good value. The Post believes universities should condense the study period and offer three-year degrees to make college more affordable. “Today’s students have the capability to acquire and distribute knowledge faster than any previous generation, thanks to technology. Higher education needs to catch up.”
Tags: Affordability, Education, U.S., University, Value
