Trump Is Undermining Trust in Official Economic Statistics. China Shows Where That Path Can Lead

President Trump’s repeated attacks on official economic statistics, such as the jobs numbers and GDP growth, are eroding public trust in the data that underpins economic policy decisions in the United States.

China provides a cautionary tale of what can happen when a government manipulates economic data to support its political agenda. In China, official statistics are often unreliable and do not accurately reflect the true state of the economy.

By undermining trust in official economic statistics, President Trump is sowing doubt about the accuracy and reliability of key economic indicators. This can have far-reaching consequences for businesses, investors, and policymakers who rely on this data to make informed decisions.

In the long run, if the public loses faith in the integrity of economic statistics, it can lead to increased uncertainty, market volatility, and potential economic instability.

It is crucial for government officials to respect the independence and credibility of official economic statistics, as they are essential for a well-functioning economy and informed decision-making.

By following the path of China and undermining trust in official economic statistics, President Trump risks damaging the credibility of vital data that serves as the foundation of economic policy and discourse in the United States.