Ryan Young is Senior Economist and Director of Publications at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). He specializes in trade, regulatory reform, antitrust policy, monetary policy, and other issues.
He edited the essay collection Adam Smith’s Guide to Life, Loveliness, and the Modern Economy, and his writing has appeared in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and dozens of other publications.
He has been interviewed by the BBC, CNN International, NPR, and Voice of America, and been quoted by ABC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
He has spoken to expert and lay audiences at events across the country and internationally on topics ranging from the separation of powers to the origins of human progress.
Ryan holds an M.A. in economics from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and a B.A. in history from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. He joined CEI in 2009, shortly before being named its 2009-2010 Warren T. Brookes Journalism Fellow, and previously worked at the Cato Institute. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.
Authored by Ryan Young
News
Higher inflation in August as conflict overseas continues to affect domestic prices: CEI analysis
The Consumer Price Index report for August shows inflation increased 0.4 percent across all sectors, with one-third of the increase being attributed to…
Another dividend check? Not so fast: CEI analysis
During yesterday’s RNC Midterm Convention, President Trump announced his intent to give every American adult a $5,000 dividend check should Republicans win in…
Canada implements tariffs on American goods as trade war escalates: CEI analysis
Today, Canada implemented tariffs against a variety of American goods, ranging from 15 percent to 50 percent. CEI senior economist Ryan Young…
Blog
9/11 and presidential power
- By: Ryan Young
America is a complicated country, founded on a simple idea: no kings. Even so, nearly every president since at least John Adams has grown…
The week in regulations: Honey taxes and airline delays
- By: Ryan Young
August’s job numbers were better than expected. President Trump threatened to cut off trade to all nations that export more to America than they…
The week in regulations: Voting by mail and $100,000 visas
- By: Ryan Young
The number of new final regulations in 2026 topped the 2,000 mark. President Trump escalated his trade war against Canada and issued an executive…
Op-Eds/Articles
The Self-Harming Logic Of The U.S.-Canada Trade War
- By: Ryan Young
Politics is almost never about the merits. This is one of the toughest lessons to learn in Washington. Some people never learn it, especially…
National Review
The Lessons of Alan Greenspan’s Life
- By: Ryan Young
There are political people, and there are ideas people. Alan Greenspan was the rare person who was both. From his early days as a Juilliard-trained…
National Review
Three Arguments Against Tariffs
- By: Ryan Young
President Trump loves tariffs. The Americans paying them don’t. A recent CNN poll found that 65 percent of Americans blame Trump’s tariffs…
Studies
Three Reasons Tariffs Don’t Work
- By: Ryan Young
He just likes tariffs. President Trump’s decades-long love of tariffs comes from the heart. The intellectual arguments Trump and his aides use to justify…
Questions for Kevin Warsh
Kevin Warsh is President Trump’s choice to succeed Jerome Powell as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Warsh’s…
End IRA Subsidies Now
Introduction “The first lesson of economics is scarcity,” wrote economist Thomas Sowell. By contrast, “The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first…
Citations
Washington Examiner
Trump administration floats capital gains tax cut on home sales — what to know
- By: Ryan Young
CEI’s Ryan Young was cited in the Washington Examiner regarding possible tax cut. Ryan Young, a senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute,…
Washington Examiner
Fed rate hikes likely even with weakening jobs outlook
- By: Ryan Young
The Washington Examiner cited CEI’s Ryan Young regarding the Federal Reserves target on employment and inflation. So as long as the unemployment…
The Washington Sun
What’s Causing the Financial Industry to Lose So Many Jobs?
- By: Ryan Young
CEI’s Ryan Young was cited regarding the finance industry losing jobs in an article by The Washington Sun. The latest numbers raise the…
Regulatory Comments
CEI’s comment on Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets
Dear Mr. Offutt: On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, we respectfully submit these comments to the Department of Agriculture (“the Department”) on…
Request for Comment on Proposed Modifications and Exclusion Process in Section 301 Investigation
On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), we respectfully submit the following comments in response to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Modifications…
Comments of the Competitive Enterprise Institute
September 26, 2023 RE: Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements Docket ID No.: FTC-2023-0040-0001 On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise…
Podcast Episodes
Economic Ideas for American Workers with Ryan Young
This week we cover teaching with AI, clearing the way for new nuclear development, and eliminating soda and candy from government food aid programs. Our...
Economics for Everybody with Ryan Young
Free the Economy is a podcast focused on how we all can become happier, healthier, and wealthier in a world with less government control.
In episode...