Economist fumes at major US bank’s ‘apocalyptic predictions’ about Trump tariffs — here’s why and what it means for you

Core Viewpoint - The recent increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) is primarily attributed to poor monetary policy rather than tariffs, according to EJ Antoni, chief economist at The Heritage Foundation [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Analysis - The U.S. CPI showed a 3.0% increase over the previous 12 months as of August [1]. - Research from institutions like the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis indicates that U.S. businesses have absorbed a significant share of the costs from new tariffs, with limited pass-through to consumers so far [2]. - Goldman Sachs predicts that U.S. consumers will eventually absorb 55% of tariff costs if the impact mirrors earlier tariffs [3]. Group 2: Tariff Impact - Critics argue that the implementation of tariffs has led to concerns about their impact on U.S. consumers, with many banks misjudging the real effects [2][3]. - Antoni contends that predictions of consumers bearing the full burden of tariffs have consistently been incorrect [2]. Group 3: Inflation and Purchasing Power - Inflation has been eroding Americans' purchasing power for decades, with $100 in 2025 equating to $12.05 in 1970 [4]. - The article emphasizes the importance of looking at the broader economic picture rather than attributing inflation to a single policy [4]. Group 4: Investment Strategies - Gold has surged over 45% in the past 12 months, highlighting its role as a safe haven during economic uncertainty [6]. - Real estate is also noted as a powerful hedge against inflation, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index increasing by 49% over the past five years [10]. - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate in real estate with minimal investment and without the responsibilities of traditional property ownership [11].