How Will the National Debt Shape the U.S. Economy?

The Wharton School's new "Policies That Work" series, exploring policies that shape America, opened with "Federal Debt, Trade Policies, and the Future of the U.S. Economy," a discussion between three Wharton professors that originally streamed live on Wharton's LinkedIn page:

Joao Gomes (Moderator): Senior Vice Dean of Research, Centers, and Academic Initiatives, and Howard Butcher III Professor of Finance
Jeremy Siegel: Russell E. Palmer Professor Emeritus of Finance
Kent Smetters: Boettner Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, and Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model

Their conversation focused on the intricate relationship between national debt and economic stability, growth, and the financial well-being of individuals. By exploring how federal borrowing impacts interest rates, inflation, and future fiscal policies, the panel covered what the rising debt in the U.S. means for the economy at large — and your personal finances.

#nationaldebt #useconomy #inflation #interestrates #monetarypolicy

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0:00 Introduction
1:57 Effect of presidential campaign policy proposals on U.S. economy
9:21 Interest rate rises - when does debt reach unsustainable levels?
18:21 How do different tax policies impact the economy?
29:10 Assessment of tariffs as a policy
36:35 What each candidate's election could mean for markets
45:30 Cost and impact of employment policies
50:37 Analyzing industrial policies
54:16 Campaign proposals that have stood out to panelists