The weekend brought a flurry of economic developments, from ambitious trade deals to growing concerns about flying blind without official government data. Here's what you need to know.

The Math Behind Trump's $2,000 Checks

President Donald Trump's proposed $2,000 "tariff dividend" sounds appealing until you look at the price tag. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget crunched the numbers and found the plan would run about $600 billion per year—roughly twice what Trump's new tariffs are projected to bring in. Over ten years, we're talking about adding $6 trillion to federal deficits. It's the kind of math problem that makes budget analysts nervous.

When Economic Data Goes Dark

Economist Mohamed El-Erian isn't happy about the Trump administration's decision to skip publishing the October Consumer Price Index and jobs report. His concern? Without authoritative data, markets and policymakers are left guessing about the economy's actual condition. That information vacuum breeds suspicion and makes it harder for everyone to make informed decisions.

A $200 Billion Swiss Deal

President Trump announced a trade framework with Switzerland and Liechtenstein designed to wipe out the $38.5 billion goods trade deficit by 2028. The agreement also includes pledges for at least $200 billion in U.S. investment. This follows Trump's August decision to slap 39% tariffs on Swiss imports, so you can view this deal as either the carrot after the stick or proof that the stick worked, depending on your perspective.

Goldman's Crystal Ball

Goldman Sachs is feeling optimistic about U.S. stocks, projecting the S&P 500 will hit 9,000 by 2030 and 11,100 by 2035. That's solid growth, but here's the twist: the investment bank sees even stronger returns overseas, particularly in faster-growing emerging markets. Sometimes the best American investment story involves looking beyond American borders.

Reading Economic Tea Leaves

With the government shutdown now in its second month, we're still not getting comprehensive data from federal agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But private sector trackers are filling the void, and their message is consistent: the labor market keeps cooling. That's raising legitimate worries about whether the economy might tip into recession. When you can't see the official numbers, you work with what you've got.