Ryan Young is senior economist 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
June added 147,000 jobs to economy, increase in discouraged workers: CEI analysis
The jobs report for June showed an increase of 147,000 jobs in the economy, exceeding economists’ expectations. An increase in discouraged workers and a…
Report Urges Congress to End Boondoggle Green Subsidies Now
Congress has a golden opportunity now, during final negotiations over the budget, to wipe out green subsidies passed back in 2022 as part of the…
Fed keeps interest rates steady, uncertainty over tariffs still looms: CEI analysis
The Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates steady in its goal to lower overall inflation. While there have been fewer shakeups in…
Blog
The week in regulations: Farmer training and approving fireworks
- By: Ryan Young
Tuesday’s Federal Register contained 105 proposed regulations and 86 final regulations. Much of it was regulatory cleanup for railroads, pipelines, and mining. The reconciliation bill…
The week in regulations: Nuclear fees and unintentional otter injuries
- By: Ryan Young
The possible war with Iran did not escalate. The reconciliation bill debate continued, as did presidential pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower rates. U.S.
The week in regulations: FAA ethics and Postal Service justice
- By: Ryan Young
Social Security will go bust in 2033. War with Iran is a real possibility. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, as expected. It is…
Op-Eds/Articles
National Review
The Tariff Roller Coaster Is Playing Tricks on You
- By: Ryan Young
It sure feels like President Trump has reduced tariffs. The recent China deal cut tariff rates from 145 percent to 30 percent, and de minimis tariffs…
Center Square Opinion
Why do so many countries have tariffs?
If tariffs are so bad, then why does nearly every country have them? It’s a fair question, and many Trump tariff defenders are asking it.
Cato Institute
The Fate of ‘Never Needed’ Regulations
- By: Ryan Young
Parking lots and parking garages have served for decades as venues for clandestine meetings in the movies and often in reality. In the early 1970s,…
Studies
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 lesson…
Trade Under Blockade
Introduction President Donald Trump threw the world trading system into disarray with his “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2, 2025. The principles behind the General…
Adam Smith’s guide to life, loveliness, and the modern economy
- By: Christopher Culp, Fred L. Smith, Jr., Iain Murray, Jeremy Lott, John Berlau, Kent Lassman, Ryan Young, Stone Washington
Introduction: Going strong at 300 Ryan Young This essay collection celebrates Adam Smith’s 300th birthday. He is best known for being the first modern economist,…
Citations
Daily Calller
Social Security Now Headed For Insolvency Even Sooner Than Expected
- By: Ryan Young
Daily Caller cited CEI’s experts on Social Security spending Congress can’t keep dodging entitlement reform. Social Security’s $28 trillion in unfunded liabilities is about the…
Newsweek
Did Donald Trump Lose China Trade War? 10 Experts Weigh In
- By: Ryan Young
Newsweek quoted CEI’s expert on the trade war Ryan Young, Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Young, a senior economist with the CEI, told Newsweek that the agreed-to reductions…
Reason
Why DOGE Failed
- By: Ryan Young
Reason quoted CEI’s expert on DOGE Misunderstanding How the Federal Budget Works “DOGE failed because they got the order of operations wrong,” said Ryan Young, a…
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 its proposed…
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 and…
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 Institute (CEI), we respectfully…
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...