Biden's huge economic relief plan aims to tackle poverty, inequality head-on

PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden has tabled his near-term US rescue plan and surprised many with a US$1.9 trillion economic relief proposal. He is looking to avoid the mistake made by former president Barack Obama's administration: too little fiscal support following the global financial crisis. Amounting to 9 per cent of gross domestic product, on top of the US$900 billion passed in December, Mr Biden is tackling poverty and inequality in the US head-on.

Announced just days before Mr Biden's inauguration as president, his team recognises the advantage of striking early, especially after the tumult of recent weeks. Undoubtedly, the proposal was facilitated by the Democratic party securing the Senate majority with victories in Georgia. While Mr Biden is now better positioned to advance his agenda, many ambitious aspirations may be unattainable.

The Democratic Senate majority is razor-thin. There are blue dog centrist senators in the party. Democrats lost seats in House of Representatives elections and have a small majority. Republicans will baulk at the price tag. Pursuing Donald Trump's Senate conviction could exacerbate partisanship, distracting from the near-term fiscal agenda.

The prospects for securing a fiscal support bill are favourable, but most experts believe the final package will total far less than Mr Biden's proposal. Many expect a package of US$1 trillion, especially if Mr Biden seeks to pass the bill under regular order rather than through reconciliation. Regular order would require securing 60 Senate votes, which many analysts view sceptically, while reconciliation would require only a simple majority.

The main elements of the Covid-19 response plan are as follows:

• Congress is likely to increase stimulus cheques to US$2,000 per person from US$600. However, the amount could be lowered by means testing or not giving a cheque to every family member.
• Supplemental unemployment support of US$300 was already to continue through to March 2021. Mr Biden is extending this to September and also increasing it to US$400.
• Funding for fighting Covid-19, education and especially childcare may command solid support, though details will need to be fleshed out.
• A US$15 an hour federal minimal wage is proposed, though analysts are deeply sceptical that it will make it through the hill.

Republicans oppose direct state and local government support, arguing that many cities are wastefully run by Democrats. But state and local governments employ more than 10 per cent of the US labour force and many have suffered huge budget hits through no fault of their own.

Mr Biden also hinted at his plan to quickly pursue a second bill by including support for infrastructure. Infrastructure support has long been backed by both parties, yet not got off the ground. Views diverge about what to fund and how to pay for it.

This may be an effective vehicle to advance his climate agenda, financed with greater progressive taxes. As part of his 'build back better' plans, Mr Biden campaigned on a proposed US$2 trillion package of accelerated investment with a heavy focus on sustainable infrastructure and clean energy. The chances for infrastructure spending, as part of a reconciliation package, now appear stronger.

Mr Biden wants to pay for permanent investments as much as possible with more progressive taxes. His tax plans aim to raise US$3 trillion by lifting the corporate tax rate from 21 per cent to 28 per cent, increasing the top marginal rate on households earning over US$400,000 and introducing estate tax changes. On balance, there may be a chance to secure some adjustments, but it will still be difficult.

The macroeconomic consequences should be significant. Forecasters are just beginning to mark up their US growth outlook. Much will depend on the ultimate size of the package, multipliers, how much is saved and, above all, how well the US can roll out vaccinations.

Moody's has already suggested growth could be almost 8 per cent this year (as opposed to a 4 per cent forecast in December). Goldman Sachs is predicting growth above 6.5 per cent.

For financial markets, the consequences are equally unpredictable. Most analysts see strengthened growth underpinning stocks, though valuations are already considered quite high. Longer-term Treasury yields are seen as having further room to rise, while views on investment grade, municipal and high yield bonds are improving. Analysts are scaling back bearish dollar outlooks.

Questions regarding what to do about higher longer-term yields and managing asset purchases will remain in 2021.

Many analysts are raising inflation concerns, though with an output gap, a decade of below-target inflation and the new flexible average inflation targeting framework, these concerns seem highly premature. The US is also looking at higher trade and current account deficits.

There is much uncertainty. Following US macroeconomic policy and market developments in 2021 will not be for the faint-hearted. OMFIF

• The writer is US chairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum.

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