Though the latest inflation reports show price growth cooled a bit in June, U.S. inflation remains higher than its peer nations, which include the U.K., Canada, France, and Japan. President Trump’s tariffs are partially to blame. But so is hefty capital expenditure by AI giants. Can anything counterbalance all that spending? After that: Kai explains the utility of Beige Book “soft” data, IBM posts mediocre earnings, farmers fret over fertilizer prices, and student borrowers weather five years of policy whiplash.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today’s episode:Why is inflation in the U.S. worse than other developed countries?IBM and other old-school tech companies feel the AI pinchFertilizer costs worry farmers as Iran conflict continuesStudent loan policy changes give borrowers whiplashFor these entrepreneurs, it's all in the details

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.