• High interest rates could balloon the national debt
    Sep 25 2026

    What happens to government debt, the budget deficit, and the overall economy if interest rates stay elevated? For a new report, the Congressional Budget Office crunched the numbers. By 2056, public debt would grow to an eye-popping 222% of GDP. Plus: Trump administration cuts decimated soil conservation programs, a new report highlights the impact of private equity investments on climate risk, and an uneventful Trump-Xi summit ends with a promise of more talks to come.


    Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.


    Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.


    Read the stories in today’s episode:


    • TTYL? Trump-Xi talks end without much to show
    • What happens to the deficit and the national debt if interest rates stay high?
    • U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump’s federal cuts. Now they’re hurting for help
    • Private equity gets a grade on climate risks
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins