What We’re Reading: Trade Wars, Innovation, and Independent Voices

and an invite to join me on Thursday

Lately, I’ve been reading more long-form content, and I am enjoying it. Short pieces are great for quick updates, but there is something deeply satisfying about engaging with an argument that unfolds over time. Long-form writing allows for nuance, data, and reflection, and that depth is something I have missed.

In today’s issue, I am sharing some of the pieces that shaped my thinking this week:

Trade Wars – A new update on the U.S.-China trade wars.
Nobel Economists – How innovation and creative destruction drive growth by

Brian Albrecht

Independent Voices –

Kai Ryssdal

and Scott Galloway on the rise of Substack and independent reporting.
Shutdown Pressure – Pay delays test Washington’s resolve.

On Trade Wars

The U.S.–China trade conflict has expanded to the oceans. Both countries have begun imposing additional port fees on shipping firms that move goods ranging from crude oil to holiday toys, turning maritime logistics into the newest front in the trade war.

This follows China’s decision to expand restrictions on rare-earth exports and President Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to triple digits. For global supply chains, the message is clear: the tension is deepening, and the cost of doing business is rising.

Markets open again today, let’s see how they feel about this!

Read more at Reuters:
U.S. and China Roll Out Tit-for-Tat Port Fees

Award-Winning Economists

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their work on innovation-driven growth. Their research explains how new ideas replace old ones, creating cycles of renewal that sustain long-term prosperity.

This process, known as creative destruction, is central to understanding how economies evolve and why innovation ecosystems matter.

Brian Albrecht

at

Economic Forces

offers one of the best summaries of their contributions and their relevance to current policy debates.

Read more at Economic Forces:
And the 2025 Economics Nobel Goes To…

Great Interview: Kai Ryssdal and Scott Galloway

Marketplace host

Kai Ryssdal

joined Scott Galloway for a wide-ranging conversation about the economy, politics, and the changing nature of media. They discussed the trade war, the risk of stagflation, and the widening wealth divide, but the most interesting part was their reflection on how people consume economic news.

Both noted that they themselves and audiences are increasingly turning to independent writers and Substack newsletters for depth and context. Ryssdal acknowledged that many of the ideas shaping his own thinking now come from economists and journalists publishing outside traditional outlets.

That observation feels familiar to me, and it is what I am trying to accomplish on this platform. Independent economic storytelling is a positive trend; I hope it rebuilds trust in how we discuss the work we are passionate about.

Watch the full interview on YouTube:
Scott Galloway and Kai Ryssdal in Conversation

Shutdown Pressure

The government shutdown continues to put pressure on workers and the broader economy. This week, some federal employees, including members of the military, are expected to miss paychecks.

Both political parties remain entrenched, but history suggests that pay delays often become a turning point in negotiations. President Trump has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use previously appropriated funds to pay troops, attempting to mitigate the fallout. Still, uncertainty remains for millions of public workers and contractors.

Read more at The Hill:
Federal Worker Pay Adds Pressure as Shutdown Drags On

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The Bottom Line

Long-form writing is making a comeback, and many of the most insightful voices are emerging outside traditional media. These independent writers, researchers, and educators are shaping how we see the world.

If there is a writer, Substack, or publication that makes you think differently about the economy, I would love to hear about it. Share your recommendations in the comments, and help expand our network of reading content.

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Join Us: Beyond the Degree

I am hosting a virtual interview podcast recording for Beyond the Degree, our virtual speaker series from the Graduate Programs at the Haile College of Business. The series is designed to connect you with important conversations in the business world.

Dr. Stephenie Hughes will join me as co-host. We invite you to join the recording and listen in, and participate in the discussion.

AI is everywhere. Human leadership matters more than ever.
That is the paradox Mark Miller (ELOC ’18) will unpack this Thursday, and it is the conversation every leader needs right now.

While many are debating whether AI will replace jobs, Mark is coaching executives through a different question: How do you stay irreplaceable when technology can do what you used to do?

The answer is not what you might expect.

This Thursday, he brings those real-world strategies to our community.

Haile Beyond the Degree: “Human Leadership in an AI World”
Thursday, October 16 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM EST
Virtual | Free and open to all

Three days out. One hour that could shift how you think about AI, innovation, and leadership.

Please register here: Join us this Thursday