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
Trump pivot to Section 338 for tariffs poses problems for economy, separation of powers
Citing Section 338 of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, President Donald Trump on July 20 imposed steep 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods,…
Trump trade threats over Canada wildfires should trigger clawback of trade power by Congress
On social media today, President Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs on Canada, citing the government’s “willful negligence” in quelling massive wildfires currently causing…
Inflation drops some in June, does not yet indicate inflation relief is here to stay: CEI analysis
The Consumer Price Index report for June fell 0.4 percent, mostly canceling out May’s 0.5 percent increase. While this may provide some immediate…
Blog
The week in regulations: Razorback suckers and conflict of interest requirements
- By: Ryan Young
Congress is considering honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) by passing a counterproductive Russia sanctions and tariffs bill. Inflation numbers for June…
Sanctioning Russia Act: Tariffs won’t change Putin’s mind
- By: Ryan Young
When Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away last week, he left behind a bill called the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026. Congress is…
The week in regulations: Plywood emissions and squid specifications
- By: Ryan Young
President Trump’s war with Iran heated back up. ICE agents killed at least one more person. Senate candidate Graham Platner ended his campaign after…
Op-Eds/Articles
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…
Sunset for Regulations, Sunrise for Opportunity
Affordability is the big concern in households across the country, yet politicians are overlooking one big solution: regulatory reform. Federal regulations drive up the price…
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…
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
Market expectations for rate hike haunt Warsh and GOP
- By: Ryan Young
The Washington Examiner cites Senior Economist Ryan Young on the consumer price index: Additionally, the producer price index showed wholesale inflation shot up…
NOTUS
EPA Eases Limits on ‘Super Pollutants,’ Claiming It Will Lower Food Prices
- By: Ryan Young
The Trump administration is loosening restrictions on “super pollutant” chemicals that are highly potent greenhouse gases, claiming that allowing their increased use will drive…
Newsweek
Expert Warns Tariff Refunds Could Hurt US Wallets as FedEx Launches Lawsuit
- By: Ryan Young
Newsweek cited CEI’s expert on small and big businesses. Ryan Young, a senior economist with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said that larger businesses…
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...