Plus, the impact of tariffs on the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and challenges ahead of Ecuador’s elections.
| Tracking federal expenditures in real time On January 27, the Trump administration ordered a freeze on certain federal spending. This announcement, subsequent legal and policy action, and reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to payment systems have led to uncertainty about whether particular programs and departments are being funded in accordance with the law. A new interactive from The Hamilton Project at Brookings shows actual daily and weekly processed outlays to key programs and departments, as well as to states, Congress, and the judiciary—allowing users to track federal government spending in real time. |
| More research and commentary Tariffs will be a blow to all 3 economies. On February 1, President Trump imposed 25% tariffs—which were subsequently delayed by one month—on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% tariffs on energy imports from Canada to address flows of fentanyl and illegal migration. Joshua P. Meltzer explains the impact of these tariffs on the United States, Canada, and Mexico. What the future holds for Ecuador. Ecuadorians head to the polls on February 9 to elect their president and national assembly members. Ahead of the election, Vanda Felbab-Brown and Diana Paz García assess the country’s organized crime and security challenges, which have overshadowed other crises. |
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