Peter's Blog

The Myth of “Economic Power”

In an age of large (and often state-protected) corporations, interventionists cite “economic power” as justification for their preferred policy. But, as the late Austrian economist Murray Rothbard explains, so-called “economic power” is essentially different from state coercion. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those […]

Trump Extends Tariff Pause on Chinese Goods

On Monday President Trump signed an executive order that temporarily keeps additional duties on Chinese imports from snapping back into force, extending a 90-day tariff reprieve that would have expired just after midnight on August 12. The new directive, “Further Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Ongoing Discussions with the People’s Republic of China,” pushes […]

Peter Schiff: Trump Levies a Backdoor Export Tax

On the latest episode of The Peter Schiff Show, Peter returns to Puerto Rico, laying out a clear investment case for gold and silver miners while calling out recent policy moves that threaten markets and manufacturing. He warns that administration trade and finance policies — from ad hoc export levies to re-insuring mortgage giants — […]

Fed’s Barkin Says “Fasten Your Seatbelts” for Bumpy Road

Economic cross-currents, political headwinds, and an elevated gold price framed Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin’s August 12 remarks to The Health Management Academy in Chicago. Barkin told the Four Seasons crowd that U.S. real GDP expanded at just 1.2 percent during the first half of 2025, less than half last year’s 2.5 […]

Abolish the Bank of Portugal Before It Causes More Damage

Free-marketers are quick (and correct) to blame the Fed for America’s monetary troubles. But as bad as the Federal Reserve is, other countries, like Portugal, have corrupt central banks that rival the Fed in its corporatism, inflationism, and irresponsibility. The following article was originally published by the Mises Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily […]

The Fed Claims to Be “Data-Driven,” but the Data Is Flawed

As another month of steady interest rates passes by, the Fed’s favorite claim– that the central bank is “data-dependent”– continues to be made. This claim, of course, is not true. The Fed’s actions are dictated by incentives and pressures that favor cheap credit, not objective data. The following article was originally published by the Mises […]

ISM Services PMI Barely Hangs On to Expansion

The American services engine came more than one point under expectations but stayed in the green by the slimmest of margins last month, even as price pressures roared back to life and trade frictions deepened. The Institute for Supply Management’s Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 50.1 for July, just a whisker above […]

BOJ Flags Trade-War Headwinds, Hints at Rate Hikes

Japan’s central bankers are juggling a stubbornly hot CPI, cooling exports, and a fresh volley of U.S. tariffs—all while investors pile into gold. In its July 30th-31st policy meeting, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) conceded the economy “has recovered moderately,” yet warned that escalating trade friction is set to sap growth “in the near term.” […]

Interest Rates Should Be Higher, Not Lower

Along with Trump, market watchers are salivating for rate cuts. But rates should be higher, not lower—and in a free market, they would be. In a free market, interest rates are determined by the supply and demand for credit. Savers provide capital (supply) while borrowers like businesses, consumers, and governments create demand. Rates would reflect […]

Q2 Gold Demand Tops 1,200 Tonnes

Gold’s momentum refused to cool in the second quarter of 2025, with total demand—over-the-counter trades included—hitting 1,249 tonnes, up 3 percent year-on-year. In dollar terms the jump was far more dramatic: US$132 billion changed hands, a 45 percent leap to an all-time quarterly record. The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) afternoon fix set a fresh […]