Jennifer Hunt | Econofact

China

Can Both the United States and China Be Winners in a Global Technology Race?

July 25, 2018

The Issue:

Recent trade barriers erected by the Trump administration are motivated in part by fear of China’s “Made in China 2025” program. This program aims to increase Chinese innovation and upgrade the production methods used in Chinese manufacturing from labor-intensive to high-tech. There is also anxiety ...
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Immigration Policy

Should Immigrants be Admitted to the United States Based on Merit?

June 28, 2017

The Issue:

President Trump has praised the immigration systems of Australia and Canada, which prioritize skilled immigrants through a system of points, referring to them as “merit”-based systems. According to President Trump, replacing the American system with a points system would increase wages of natives ...
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Labor Markets

Does Occupational Licensing Represent Excessive Regulation?

April 20, 2017

The Issue:

The American labor market is generally considered lightly regulated compared to European labor markets, yet its share of workers in licensed occupations is similar to the highest shares among European countries. Appropriate regulation of occupations can help protect consumers. But excessive licensing requirements ...
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Immigration Policy

Reforming the H-1B Visa Program

February 17, 2017

The Issue:

Proposals to change the H-1B visa program, which allows companies to hire specialized foreign workers in the U.S. on a temporary basis, have been debated by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for years. The visas are most heavily used by foreign companies providing temporary computer services, especially ...
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Immigration Policy

Should the United States Build a Wall on the Mexican Border to Reduce Unauthorized Immigration?

January 24, 2017

The Issue:

A centerpiece of Donald Trump's campaign was his pledge to “Build A Wall” across the United States – Mexican border to halt the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.

The Facts:

The population of undocumented immigrants in the United States has not grown for a decade. In fact,