Peter's Blog

Schiff on VRIC Media: Hike Rates, Back Gold, Dump Bitcoin

In a recent VRIC Media interview, Peter lays out a straightforward critique of modern monetary policy and the political choices driving today’s economy. He connects low interest rates, tariffs, and misguided enthusiasm for crypto to a brewing misallocation of resources, and points listeners toward gold and real assets as sensible hedges. He starts by taking […]

Fed’s Waller: ‘Let’s Get On with’ Inflation

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher J. Waller used a Thursday night speech at the Economic Club of Miami to press, yet again, for easier money. Declaring that “the time has come to ease monetary policy and move it to a more neutral stance,” the long-time dove said he would have cut rates in July and plans […]

Using Tariffs to Reduce the Deficit? Not So Fast

After posturing to use tariffs to eliminate income tax, the Trump administration has now shifted to a narrative that they’ll pay off deficits. Both promises are hollow.  Deficits as massive and persistent as ours demand massive Treasury issuance. That means markets have to absorb ever-larger supply, pushing yields higher if demand fails to keep up. […]

Fed Minutes Reveal Governors’ Thought Process Behind July Rate Hold

Three weeks after the Federal Open Market Committee opted to leave its target range unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, fresh details from the July meeting shed light on why policymakers are growing uneasy even as they stay on hold. Minutes released Wednesday reveal officials wrestling with sticky price pressures, new tariffs, and a cooling labor market—all while […]

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 […]

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 […]

Optimism Alone Can’t Fix the Economy

Many economists and businesses look to survey data to judge the state of the economy. These data can provide interesting insight and will certainly sway markets, but whether they can actually capture real economic phenomena is up for debate.