Nov 17, 2020

The U.S. is excluded from a giant new trade deal

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, right, speaks at the virtual 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit on Nov. 15, 2020. Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images

On today's show: The U.S. is on the outside looking in. Later, the fate of the economy once again hangs on consumers.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Growth in retail sales is slowing. That's a bad sign for the economy

by Mitchell Hartman

Nov 17, 2020

As goes the U.S. consumer, so goes the U.S. economy.

Shoppers walk in South Coast Plaza in August in Costa Mesa, California. Smaller retailers are having a harder time transitioning to online sales and adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients face a new challenge: Taxes

by Justin Ho

Nov 17, 2020

As the year draws to a close, small business owners are starting to figure out their tax liabilities for 2020. That's complicated for businesses that got Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Empty chairs are seen inside a restaurant in New York on Nov. 13, 2020. Businesses whose PPP loans are forgiven are not allowed to claim deductions on expenses that were paid for using loan money.

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

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China's giant new trade agreement excludes U.S.

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Nov 17, 2020

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership brings 15 countries together. Should the U.S. be a part of it?

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, right, speaks at the virtual 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit on Nov. 15, 2020.

Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images

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Taylor Swift is rerecording her old songs to control the licenses

by Kristin Schwab

Nov 17, 2020

The new recordings are bound to sound different than the originals. Which versions will fans choose?

Taylor Swift has unsuccessfully tried to buy her master recordings before. Above, Swift at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

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COVID-19

COVID recession puts damper on large construction projects

by Andy Uhler

Nov 17, 2020

The Houston area lost the most construction jobs of any big city over the last year.

A worker directs traffic as construction takes place on a new tower in New York City in March.

Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

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My Economy

"And then it occurred to me that I could just make the box of supplies myself"

by Alli Fam

Nov 17, 2020

Teacher Nia Grigsby started The School Box Toolbox when her own daughters were running low on supplies early in the pandemic.

School Box Toolbox supplies for first and second grade students.

Courtesy of Nia Grigsby

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Shelf Life

The economic power of royal fashion

by Elizabeth Holmes

Nov 17, 2020

In this book excerpt, veteran style journalist Elizabeth Holmes writes about how Meghan Markle used fashion to respond to media criticism.

The royal family celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016. Color is an essential part of Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe, writes Elizabeth Holmes.

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

6000 Ft. Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

Raw Karmawin

If You Want It Jay Som

Greyhounds De La Soul, Usher

Which Way To Paradise Poolside

Blank Space Taylor Swift

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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