For Policymakers & the Public
Research I’ve written for policymakers, journalists, and the public: on tariffs, digital money, and political conflict. For media inquiries or commentary, reach me at marina [dot] azzimonti [at] gmail.com
Tariffs & Trade
As of October, the average effective tariff rate for the U.S. stood at 11.4 percent, which would be the highest rate since 1943.
(with Jacob Titcomb and John O’Trakoun)
The predicted average effective tariff rate for May was 17.5 percent, but the actual rate turned out to be 8.7 percent.
An “impact factor” may help estimate how tariffs affect the cost of intermediate inputs used in production.
(with Acacia Wyckoff)
Speaking of the Economy Podcast: Getting a Grip on U.S. Tariff Changes
I discuss the complexities of measuring the regional and sectoral impacts of tariffs and reviews the rapid series of changes to U.S. trade policy since the beginning of 2025 (Recorded July 9, 2025).
The recent tariff announcement implies that the average effective tariff rate would rise further compared to our previous analysis.
(with Zach Edwards, Sonya Ravindranath Waddell and Acacia Wyckoff)
When all 2025 tariff measures are included, the total average effective tariff rate for 2025 reaches 22.2 percent.
(with Zach Edwards, Sonya Ravindranath Waddell and Acacia Wyckoff)
Calculating the average effective tariff rate can help assess the impact of the proposed tariffs.
(with Zach Edwards, Sonya Ravindranath Waddell and Acacia Wyckoff)
In March, we asked Fifth District businesses about the impacts of tariffs. Most expected to be impacted negatively and anticipated passing through some of the additional costs to customers.
(with Zach Edwards, Sonya Ravindranath Waddell and Acacia Wyckoff)
Digital Money & Stablecoins
Speaking of the Economy Podcast: The Rise of Stablecoin and the Demand for Dollars
I discuss how digital currency like Stablecoins and physical currency like the U.S. dollar are tied together, how the demand for one affects the other, and how this relationship plays out in global financial markets (Recorded Jun 3, 2026).
The digital nature of stablecoins could make them more attractive to foreigners than the underlying fiat currencies that back them.
Partisan Conflict and Economic Uncertainty
Economic policy uncertainty rises significantly leading up to an election and stays elevated for a couple months after the election is over.
U.S. politics have become increasingly polarized, and this polarization has impacted the economy.
LSE American Politics and Policy, October 2013
Divided we Fall: Polarization During the 1995 and 2013 Shutdowns. One of the Top 10 most read articles of 2013 of this Blog.
- Version en espanol publicada en focoeconomico.org: Polarización política y crisis de gobernabilidad en EEUU.
Women in Economics
Women in Economics Podcast: Women in Economics
We discuss our new efforts to mentor and support women in economics. (Recorded April 5, 2024).
The Center for Advancing Women in Economics discusses how representation can improve.
AEA Webinar: Choosing Macroeconomics in Graduate School: A Conversation with Women in Macro
I was a panelist in this webinar about grad school. Moderatored by: Anusha Chari and Namrata Narain (Recorded April 21, 2023).
Speaking of the Economy Podcast: Advancing Women in Economics
Marina Azzimonti and Arantxa Jarque, director and associate director of the Center for Advancing Women in Economics, discuss the Center's recent launch at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the need for such an organization within the economics profession. (Recorded September 13, 2023).
Financial Crises & Public Debt
Speaking of the Economy Podcast: When Countries Borrow, The Strength of Their Institutions Matters
I discuss the rise in the cost of borrowing for countries following the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader implications of this trend for emerging countries, especially those that don't have strong governmental institutions. (Recorded Feb 5, 2025).
Los costos de la globalización financiera, El Economista, (Feb 11, 2020).
Hacking Induced Externalities and the Apathy of Stockholders, with A. Marks, (2016)
COVID-19
COVID-19 in New York: lives vs livelihoods. Alumni Event, Stony Brook University, (June 2020)
Movilidad y economía durante el coronavirus: la otra cara de la moneda, El Economista, (May 6, 2020).
Ni asado, ni conciertos, ni fútbol, ni escuelas: ¿medida óptima o sobrerreacción?, El Economista, (March 16, 2020).