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
Inflation rises in December, Trump’s Fed threats raise questions about monetary policy future: CEI analysis
The CPI for December rose 0.3 percent, bringing year-over-year inflation up to 2.7 percent. While the report suggests monetary policy is unlikely to change soon,…
Trump’s criminal investigation of Fed chairman a mistake: CEI analysis
The Trump Justice Department’s newly announced criminal investigation of the Federal Reserve chairman, ostensibly concerning renovations of the Fed’s headquarters, is a mistake. Ryan Young,…
Tariffs loom over US economy’s disappointing job gains for December 2025
The US economy added a disappointing 50,000 jobs in December 2025, according to government data. CEI experts point to tariffs and economic uncertainty as a…
Blog
The week in regulations: Homework gaps and cannabimimetic agents
- By: Ryan Young
At Davos, President Trump withdrew his threats to invade Greenland and tariff European countries. The Supreme Court appeared skeptical about his attempt to fire Lisa…
The week in regulations: Neck floats and glazed bus portals
- By: Ryan Young
President Trump opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. He also proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10 percent, effective January…
The week in regulations: Taconite and label shapes
- By: Ryan Young
President Trump deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and embarked on a nation-building project. ICE agents killed an American citizen in Minnesota. Agencies issued new regulations…
Op-Eds/Articles
DC Journal
Shutdown Lesson: Don’t Depend on D.C.
- By: Ryan Young
The federal shutdown is over. Here’s one big takeaway: We need to depend less on Washington. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food aid program’s…
Washington Examiner
No excuse for price floors in rare earths dispute
Parents don’t tolerate “But they do it, too” as an excuse from their children. What about when adults in positions of power use it? That…
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…
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
US economy shows momentum but risks continue heading into 2026
- By: Ryan Young
The National News Desk cited CEI’s expert on labor hiring “It’s low hire and low fire, and what that means is that people are scared,…
DOJ investigation could push Powell to hold on to his seat at Fed
- By: Ryan Young
The Washington Examiner cited CEI’s expert on Powell Ryan Young, a senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said that Powell choosing to remain in…
NOTUS
Trump’s War on Labor Data Didn’t Change the Economic Outlook
- By: Ryan Young
NOTUS cited CEI’s expert on economic output Ryan Young, a senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said he believes BLS is “operating in…
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...