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
Inflation increased 0.3 percent in September, higher prices still sticking around: CEI analysis
September saw an inflation increase of 0.3 percent across all sectors, in line with economists’ predictions. CEI senior economist Ryan Young says today’s…
Fed independence is the real story in Wednesday’s interest rate decision: CEI analysis
Today, the Federal Reserve announced it is cutting interest rates by 25 basis points, the first cut in nine months. CEI senior economist…
New downward revision for jobs numbers not surprising: CEI analysis
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that there were 911,000 fewer jobs between March 2024 and March 2025 than previously reported. While this…
Blog
The week in regulations, shutdown edition: Mackerel and helicopters
- By: Ryan Young
The continuing shutdown made for another slow week in the Federal Register. The four-day week’s total of five proposed regulations, six proposed regulations, and 131…
A Nobel for human progress
- By: Ryan Young
This year’s economics Nobel Prize went to three students of the two most important questions in economics: Why have living standards in rich countries improved…
The week in regulations, shutdown edition: Pot gear and hot air fuel
- By: Ryan Young
Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. The partial federal shutdown meant there were no proposed regulations and five new regulations…
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
The Washington Examiner
Soybean farmers twisting in the wind during US-China talks
- By: Ryan Young
The Washington Examiner cited CEI’s expert on trade Accordingly, the timeline for the U.S. and China to come to an agreement over soybeans is…
Trib Live
‘We’re stretching’: As grocery prices continue to climb, shoppers redefine their staples
- By: Ryan Young
Trib Live cited CEI’s expert on Tariffs “Tomatoes from Mexico are being hit with a 17% tariff,” Ortega said. “In the cold months, we’ll…
Unknowns cloud economy’s future despite return to growth and rate cut
- By: Ryan Young
The National News Desk cited CEI’s expert on tariffs “Both consumers and businesses in a rush to beat tariffs have been stockpiling as many goods…
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...