Category: Finance
Bond Sell Off Raises Questions About U.S. Safe Haven Status
As the fallout from President Trump’s global trade war spreads, investors are fleeing what is typically seen as the safest corner.
Trump Maintains 104% China Tariffs as U.S. Officials Signal Openness to Talks
President Trump’s next round of tariffs on major trading partners went into effect just after midnight, bringing levies on China to at least 104 percent.
Elon Musk Calls Peter Navarro a ‘Moron’ in Escalating Tariff Fight
The feud between two of President Trump’s top advisers is playing out as the administration’s new tariffs have caused huge losses across global financial markets.
Global Leaders Rush to Woo Trump, Hoping to Sway Him on Tariffs
Dozens of foreign governments were trying to appeal to the president to have steep tariffs rolled back, but the president and his advisers have indicated [more…]
Trump Threatens Huge Tariffs on China in Response to Its Retaliation
The president said he would counter Beijing’s tariffs — which came in response to Mr. Trump’s own levies — with even more tariffs on Chinese [more…]
Oil Prices Tumble Further as Trump’s Tariffs Weigh on Economic Outlook
Crude oil now costs around 15 percent less than it did before the president revealed his plans to impose stiff new tariffs on imports from [more…]
Small Businesses Face a ‘Tornado’ of Challenges: Cuts, Freezes and Now Tariffs
President Trump vowed to aid entrepreneurs by reducing taxes and slicing red tape. But some owners say other policies have put them at a disadvantage.
Why Did Trump Impose Tariffs, and What’s Next? Everything to Know.
The president announced sweeping tariffs on Wednesday in an effort to reset global trading relationships. Here’s what you need to know.
Lesotho, a Small African Nation, Expects a Big Hit From Trump’s Tariffs
The amount of manufactured goods exported from Africa to the United States is minuscule. But for Lesotho, the impact of a stunning 50 percent tariff [more…]
After Trump Tariffs, Volkswagen to Add ‘Import Fees’ to Cars Sold in U.S.
The company’s move is one of the first and clearest examples of automakers using price increases to deal with the 25 percent tariffs President Trump [more…]
Europe Has Economic Power. Can It Use It Against Trump’s Tariffs?
European leaders have said they would prefer to negotiate. If that fails, their response could go beyond anything they’ve tried before.
Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s Legal Rationale for Tariffs on China
A nonprofit group said the president misapplied a law in imposing those levies and portrayed its filing as the first lawsuit to challenge the Trump [more…]
Trump’s Tariffs Hit Garment Makers in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Hard
The industry supplies low-cost clothing to the United States is a crucial part of the Asian countries’ economies.
China Will Face at Least 54 Percent Tariffs With Trump’s New Order
The 34 percent tariff announced on Wednesday is in addition to two rounds of import taxes the president already imposed since January.
Trump’s Tariffs Make the Fed’s Interest Rate Decisions Tougher
Tariffs risk slowing growth and making inflation stickier, a tricky combination for the central bank as it debates what to do about interest rates.
Trump Says His Tariffs Will Take Effect Wednesday
The president did not reveal the details of his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs the same day, but suggested he would move ahead with import [more…]
As Trump’s Tariffs Stoke Economic Uncertainty, the Fed Debates Its Next Steps
The central bank’s outreach to companies has taken on new significance as the outlook for growth and inflation gets cloudier.
Trump Administration Tallies Trade Barriers That Could Prompt Tariffs
The Office of the United States Trade Representative released a report highlighting foreign trade barriers that could influence tariffs the president puts into effect this [more…]
As Trump Squeezes the Immigrant Work Force, Employers Seek Relief
Businesses that rely on immigrants are pushing for legislation to ensure an adequate, legal flow of laborers from abroad as deportations ramp up.
Trump Order Could Cripple Federal Worker Unions Fighting DOGE Cuts
The move added to the list of actions by President Trump that use the powers of his office to weaken perceived enemies.
They Want More Babies. Now They Have Friends in the Trump White House.
Advocates of higher birthrates have support in the Trump administration. But it’s unclear whether their priorities will win out.
Specter of Auto Tariffs Spurs Some Car Buyers to Rush Purchases
“Prices are going to shoot up now,” one shopper said. But some dealers said that economic concerns might be keeping people away.
Trump’s Tariffs Leave Automakers With Tough, Expensive Choices
Carmakers are likely to face higher costs regardless of how they respond to President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on cars and auto parts.
Trump Auto Tariffs: How Major Car Brands Would Be Affected
The scale of the damage depends on the circumstances of each company’s supply chain.
Inflation Remained Sticky Ahead of Trump’s Escalating Trade War, PCE Data Shows
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure showed underlying price pressures persisting in February, as inflation-adjusted spending stayed muted.
With Car Tariffs, Trump Puts His Unorthodox Trade Theory to the Test
With sweeping auto levies, the president is putting his beliefs about tariffs into practice on the global economy. Economists aren’t optimistic.
U.S. Infrastructure Improves, but Cuts May Imperil Progress, Report Says
A report card from an engineering group found that American roads, ports and other infrastructure got better last year but could be hurt if federal [more…]
Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on Imported Cars and Car Parts
The measure, which is intended to bring car factories to the United States, could significantly raise prices for consumers.
Trump Trade Policies and Federal Cuts Shake Consumer Confidence
The level in the Conference Board’s latest monthly survey was the lowest since January 2021.
U.S. Adds Export Restrictions to More Chinese Tech Firms Over Security Concerns
The additions included companies that are customers of Intel and Nvidia, and one firm that was the focus of a New York Times investigation last [more…]
Layoffs and Unemployment Grow Among College Graduates
The unemployment rate for college graduates has risen faster than for other workers over the past few years. How worried should they be?
Trump to Impose Tariffs Against Countries That Buy Venezuelan Oil
The president plans to wield tariffs like financial sanctions, ordering that countries that buy Venezuelan oil have tariffs put on their exports to the United [more…]
U.S. Could Run Out of Cash by July, Analysis Finds
The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that the so-called X-date could fall between mid-July and early October if Congress does not lift or suspend the nation’s [more…]
Trump Primed to Clash With Fed After Key Rate Decision
Tariffs are at the heart of the tension between the White House and the central bank.
The Fed’s Projections: How to Read Them Like a Pro
The Federal Reserve will release fresh economic estimates on Wednesday. Here’s how to read the outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Why the Shipping Industry Isn’t Rushing Back to the Red Sea
The companies that operate large container ships say they plan to keep going around Africa as violence flares in the region.
How Fed Rates Influence Mortgages, Credit Cards, Savings and More
Here’s how the central bank’s interest rate stance influences car loans, credit cards, mortgages, savings and student loans.
Trump Administration Lifts Ban on Sugar Company Central Romana Over Forced Labor
Labor groups said working conditions had not changed enough to warrant the removal. The company is partly owned by donors to President Trump.
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady, but Trump’s Tariffs Could Slow Inflation Progress
Tariffs took center stage during the news conference with Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, on Wednesday.
Trump Has Hinted at a Xi Visit. China Is Still Wondering What He Wants.
Chinese experts say Beijing is open to talks but is being stonewalled by the State Department and other official channels.
Trump Says a Recession Would Be Worth It, but Economists Are Skeptical
President Trump and his advisers say his policies may cause short-term pain but will produce big gains over time. Many economists are skeptical of those [more…]
A Tariff Tantrum: the Upheaval from Trump’s Trade Policies
Corporate chiefs see “chaos,” and investors see red as the effect of President Trump’s shifting trade policy begins to weigh on board rooms and trading [more…]
Jobs Report Is Steady, but Impact of Federal Cutbacks and Tariffs Looms
Employers added 151,000 jobs in February, the Labor Department said, based on surveys taken as Trump administration policies were still rolling out.
Trump Pulls Back Plans to Double Canadian Metal Tariffs After Ontario Relents
The president had threatened to hit Canadian metals with 50 percent tariffs but opted not to go ahead after Ontario lifted a charge on U.S. [more…]
What Products Could Europe Levy in Retaliation to Trump’s Tariffs?
The European Union wants to force the United States to the negotiating table with retaliatory tariffs on a range of American products, including some from [more…]
Tariffs Add to Automaker Concerns About Higher Steel Costs
Even before the new levies took effect, the industry was worried about prices after President Trump opposed a major merger in the steel sector.
A Timeline of Trump’s Tariff Fight With Canada, Mexico, China and the E.U.
In the first 50 days of his second term, President Trump’s penchant for imposing and then suspending tariffs has shaken markets and confounded trading partners.
Trump and DOGE Create Anxiety but Opportunity for Federal Contractors
By cutting federal employees, the Trump administration may increase its reliance on firms that take in billions through government contracts.
Trump Promised Americans Booming Wealth. Now He’s Changing His Tune.
President Trump’s sweeping promises are running headlong into the reality of governing.
Trump Expands Trade Threats in Global Game of Chicken
Trade wars with allies could spiral as the president tries to get trading partners to back down from retaliation with new threats of his own.
Trump’s Unpredictable Tariffs Cloud Europe’s Economic Outlook
The mood at a gathering of central bankers, economists and analysts in Europe was somewhat bewildered, as they assessed the unpredictability of trade policy and [more…]
U.S. Inflation Eased More Than Expected in February
Economists are bracing for intensifying price pressures and slower growth, posing a challenge for the Federal Reserve.
Trump’s Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Take Effect
President Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on metal imports. The move is expected to raise costs for U.S. manufacturers of cars, solar panels and [more…]
Trump Tariffs and Trade Wars Leave Investors, Once Optimistic, Feeling Apprehensive
On Tuesday, President Trump sent markets into another tailspin by announcing additional tariffs on Canada, suggesting a falling stock market is no longer the bulwark [more…]
Trump Has Said ‘No Exceptions’ to His Tariffs. Will That Last?
His administration has acknowledged that exceptions undercut the power of tariffs, but it seems hard for the president to resist making deals.
Who Likes Tariffs? Some U.S. Industries Are Eager for Them.
Concern about the cost of materials has tempered business enthusiasm about taxing imports. But steel and aluminum makers say they welcome the help.
Fired Federal Workers Face a Sluggish Job Market
Unemployment is low, but there isn’t much room to move around — especially for those with highly government-specific skills.
Undocumented Workers, Fearing Deportation, Are Staying Home
Fearing roundups, many immigrants are staying home. Construction, agriculture, senior care and hospitality employers say labor shortages will worsen.
Trump’s Delay on Mexico and Canada Tariffs Came in Response to Market Revolt
With prices still high, the Trump administration is heeding the risks of fanning inflation with import duties.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Could Disrupt St. Louis’s Growth Strategy
Shrinking cities have tried to stabilize their populations with foreign-born residents. The strategy was working, until the inauguration.
Trump’s Tariffs Could Help Tesla, by Hurting Its Rivals More
The electric car company led by Elon Musk builds all the cars it sells in the United States in California and Texas, shielding it from [more…]
Powell Says the Fed Is in No Hurry to Adjust Rates Amid Trump Policy Uncertainty
Jerome H. Powell says the Fed is focused on separating “signal from the noise,” as the president whipsaws on tariffs.
Trump’s Tariffs by Whim Keep Allies and Markets Off Balance
Investors sent stock prices down on Thursday amid the uncertainty over what President Trump’s inconstancy means for the global economy.
Trump Suspends Mexico Tariffs on USMCA Goods for a Month
Goods trading under the rules of the North American trade pact, or most products, would be exempt from tariffs, the president said. The levies have [more…]
South Africa’s Play to Ease Tensions With Trump: A New Trade Deal
Lawmakers were warned that the United States is planning more punitive actions against the country. Officials hope a new trade deal will help repair the [more…]
Mexico Gave Trump Much of What He Wanted. Tariffs Came Anyway.
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico took steps sought by President Trump, including sending troops to the border and cracking down on drug cartels. The tariffs [more…]
Canada and China Retaliate Against Trump’s Tariffs, Amid Fears of Trade War
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada warned that the Trump administration’s tariffs were leading to a trade war. Mexico’s leader vowed to impose countermeasures on [more…]
Lutnick Remarks on Removing Government Spending in GDP Data Raises Fears
Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, suggested government spending should be excluded from data about U.S. economic output.
Trump’s Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China Snap Into Effect
President Trump imposed hefty tariffs on the United States’ largest trading partners on Tuesday, roiling global relations and sending shock waves through industries that depend [more…]
Industries Brace for Trump Tariffs Taking Effect on Tuesday
President Trump could still choose to pause the tariffs he is threatening to put on America’s largest trading partners Tuesday, but industries are preparing for [more…]
Trump Picks Another Trade Fight With Canada Over Lumber
The president initiated an investigation that could lead to tariffs on lumber imports, nearly half of which comes from Canada.
When It Comes to Tariffs, Trump Can’t Have It All
The president has promised big results, from raising revenue to reviving domestic manufacturing. But many of his goals undermine one another.
Trump’s New Crackdown on China Is Just Beginning
The administration is positioning itself to clamp down on Chinese investment and access to technology. But the wild card may be the president himself.
Americans Brace for Inflation as Trump’s Tariffs Start to Take Effect
More Americans are starting to brace for higher prices as President Trump’s policies begin to take effect.
Markets and Corporate America Are Unfazed by Washington Chaos, for Now
The federal budget debate has big implications for the economy. Businesses are betting that tax cuts will be extended and the math will work out.
Trump Eyes a Bigger, Better Trade Deal With China
U.S. officials are considering whether they can strike a deal with China that would ramp up its purchases of American goods and investments in the [more…]
A.I. Is Changing How Silicon Valley Builds Start-Ups
Tech start-ups typically raised huge sums to hire armies of workers and grow fast. Now artificial intelligence tools are making workers more productive and spurring [more…]
Trump Tests Fed’s Independence With Order Expanding Authority Over Agencies
A directive calling for oversight over the central bank’s regulatory and supervisory responsibilities has set off alarm.
Clean Energy Was Lifting Manufacturing. Now Investment Is in Jeopardy.
With the Trump administration reversing support for low-carbon power, the business case for making wind, solar and electric vehicle parts gets weaker.
Trump Labor Nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer Faces Pressure at Senate Hearing
Asked for her views on pro-labor legislation she backed as a House Republican, Lori Chavez-DeRemer said she would simply serve the president’s agenda.
Senate Confirms Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary
A longtime Wall Street executive, Mr. Lutnick will take on a broad portfolio that includes defending U.S. business interests and overseeing restrictions on technology exports.
Can the Federal Reserve Look Past Trump’s Tariffs?
Top officials are grappling with how to handle potential price increases caused by the administration’s policies.
Where China’s Exports Begin: Inside the Vast Markets of Guangzhou
Along the Pearl River in southern China, a fast-growing industry is churning out cheap clothes and toys that are flooding the world duty-free.
Whiskey Offers Window Into the Pain of a Trade War
Liquor is leverage as the world careens toward another trade dispute. European tariffs on American whiskey snap back after March 31 unless an extension is [more…]
Amazon Union Push Falls Short at North Carolina Warehouse
The outcome was a setback for workers trying to score a second election success at an Amazon facility. The union vowed to keep trying to [more…]
Uncertainty About Economic Policy Is Hampering Business Decisions
The lack of clarity about tariffs and other policies could hurt hiring and investing. But the strong U.S. economy should provide a buffer.
What to Know About VAT, the Tax System Used in Europe That Trump Despises
The president says the VAT system used across Europe gives other countries unfair trade advantages. Here’s how the system started.
Trump Pushes Tariff Threats on Global Scale
With less than a month in office, the president has pursued trade actions that could shatter the global trading system and dwarf the trade measures [more…]
Trump Announces ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs Across the Globe
The president said his advisers would devise new tariff levels reflecting countries’ tariffs, taxes, subsidies and other policies affecting trade with the United States.
Trump Softens Tone on Inflation After Pledging to Lower Prices
President Trump pledged to lower costs on “Day 1” as a candidate. His administration now acknowledges it will take more time.
After Tariff Fight With Canada and Mexico, Trump’s Next Target Is Europe
The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the [more…]
Trump to Impose 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
The president said he planned sweeping tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports on Monday and would take other action to even out tariff rates [more…]
Steel and Aluminum Tariffs May Raise US Manufacturing Costs
Duties of 25 percent on steel and aluminum will flow through to car buyers, beer drinkers, home builders, oil drillers and other users of metal [more…]
Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum From Foreign Countries
The president imposed a 25 percent tariff on global metals, repeating a move from his first term. Economists and foreign governments know what will come [more…]
Trump Will Impose Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum on Monday
The president said he planned sweeping tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports on Monday and would take other action to even out tariff rates [more…]
The report will revise figures from 2023 and 2024. Here’s what to know.
The report will revise figures from 2023 and 2024. Here’s what to know.
What Privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Means
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were bailed out by the government during the housing crisis nearly 17 years ago. The Trump administration is considering letting [more…]
U.S. Hiring Slowed to 143,000 Jobs in January
U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs last month, somewhat fewer than forecast, while unemployment fell to 4 percent and hourly earnings rose.
A Trade War Is on Hold, but Trump’s Motives and a Fix Remain Uncertain
President Trump announced potentially crippling tariffs against Canada, only to suspend them for 30 days. What will satisfy him remains unknown.
Trump Says He Will Announce Reciprocal Tariffs Next Week
The president said he planned to impose tariffs on countries that tax U.S. products. He also paused an action against China, allowing its low-cost products [more…]
Solid Labor Market Gives Fed Cover to Extend Rate Pause
The central bank is grappling with how quickly to lower interest rates after pausing cuts last month.
Trump’s Attacks on DEI Get Approval From Some in the Left Wing
Many Democrats and activists are rallying to defend diversity programs, but others say they distract from deeper efforts to address inequality.
Friday’s Jobs Report Will Be Confusing. Here’s How to Make Sense of It.
The Labor Department’s January survey will include revisions making data for previous months look stronger in some cases and weaker in others.
U.S. Trade Deficit Hit Record in 2024 as Imports Surged
A strong dollar helped drive an uptick in U.S. imports last year, while export growth remained modest.
Trump Prepares to Take On the US Trade Deficit, a Familiar Nemesis
The trade deficit has long drawn the president’s ire. Now, he’s preparing to take it on again.
Trump’s Trade Move Could Increase Costs for Many Online Goods
The president’s tariff measures included a big change to trade rules that could increase costs for many purchases from sites like Amazon, Shein and Temu.
China Strikes Back After Trump Imposes 10% Tariff on Goods
After a 10 percent tariff on Chinese products took effect on Tuesday, China announced retaliatory measures, including tariffs and an investigation of Google.
Trump Wields U.S. Power With Unclear Economic Consequences
The president sees the U.S. economy as a powerful lever against other countries but there are risks to that approach.
Panama Canal Fees Have Become a Flashpoint. Here’s Why They’ve Risen.
President Trump says the canal authority is overcharging. Recent increases are attributed in part to drought, maintenance investments and demand.
Trump Tariffs Threaten to Upend Global Economic Order
The invoking of national security to unravel trade agreements could scramble the international trading system in China’s favor.
Trump’s Canada and Mexico Tariffs Could Hurt Carmakers
General Motors and a few other companies make as much as 40 percent of their North American cars and trucks in Canada and Mexico, leaving [more…]
Trump’s Tariffs Would Reverse Decades of Integration Between U.S. and Mexico
Ties between the United States and Mexico have deepened over 30 years of free trade, creating both benefits and irritants.
Trump Moves to Invalidate Recent Labor Agreements With Federal Workers
The order is aimed at “last-minute, lame-duck” agreements signed by the Biden administration, a White House memo says.
Trump Will Hit Mexico, Canada and China With Tariffs
The White House press secretary said the president would move forward with levies on America’s largest trading partners on Saturday.
High Inflation and New Tariffs Will Make the Fed’s Job Tougher
Fresh tariffs amid high inflation are making the Fed’s job uniquely difficult and feeding uncertainty about what to expect for interest rates this year.
Federal Debt Is Now Worrying Even Progressives
Long a focus of conservatives, the level of public borrowing is starting to concern left-leaning economists. Proposed remedies still differ radically.
Lutnick Grilled on Trump’s Tariffs and China During Confirmation Hearing
Howard Lutnick, the financier President Trump has picked to lead the Commerce Department, said he favored “across-the-board” tariffs and was grilled about his financial ties [more…]
What to Watch at the Federal Reserve’s First Meeting of 2025
The U.S. central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady as officials weigh a solid economy and rising inflation risks.
G.M. Has Plans Ready for Trump’s Canada and Mexico Tariffs
General Motors, the largest producer of cars in Mexico, won’t provide details on how it would react if President Trump imposes 25 percent tariffs from [more…]
Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Immigration, Drugs and Greenland
The president is increasingly threatening other countries with tariffs for issues that have little to do with trade.
Amazon’s Fight With Unions Heads to Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia are voting on whether to form the first union in the Amazon-owned chain. The company is pushing back.
Existing-Home Sales in 2024 Were Slowest in Decades Amid High Mortgage Rates
The market perked up late in the year when interest rates eased, but affordability challenges yielded the fewest transactions since 1995.
Howard Lutnick, Trump’s Commerce Nominee, Discloses Business Interests
Howard Lutnick disclosed details of complex financial interests, holding at least $800 million in assets.
Europe Braces for a New Trump Era, Uncertain About What It Means
President Trump appears willing to shake up almost every policy area, and a behind-the-scenes E.U. task force has been trying to prepare. But is Europe [more…]
Stellantis Will Restart Illinois Factory That U.A.W. Pushed to Revive
The United Automobile Workers union has been pressing the automaker, which owns Chrysler and Jeep, to revive the plant in Belvidere, Ill.
Trumps Threatens Tariffs Feb. 1 on Canada, Mexico and China
The president said he will impose tariffs Feb. 1 on products from Canada, Mexico and China, countries that together account for more than a third [more…]
Trump Is Said to Push for Early Reopening of North American Trade Deal
The president wants to begin renegotiating a U.S. trade deal with Canada and Mexico earlier than a scheduled 2026 review, people familiar with his thinking [more…]
Trump Pitches External Revenue Service to Collect Tariffs: What to Know
President Trump wants an External Revenue Service to collect tariffs on imports. One trade expert said the move may be “more branding than substance.”
Trump Holds Off on Tariffs, but Paves the Way for Future Trade Action
The president’s executive action on trade will keep all possibilities on the table, including eventual tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico.
‘So Much Uncertainty’: Businesses Worry About Trump’s Many Tariff Plans
The incoming president has floated numerous tariff plans. Retailers say their livelihood could depend on which ultimately come to fruition.
The Federal Work Force Grew Briskly Under Biden. It’s Still Historically Low.
Government agencies that shrank in President-elect Trump’s first term have mostly bounced back, and some have become even larger.
What Did Trump’s Tax Cuts Do?
Economic upheaval caused by the pandemic has clouded analysts’ ability to understand the effects of the 2017 tax law. Republicans call it a huge success [more…]
I.R.S. Commissioner to Quit as Trump Takes Office
Mr. Trump has said he plans to nominate Billy Long, a former Republican congressman, to the role.
Remote Work for Civil Servants Faces a Challenge Under Trump
Federal employees and others in the capital have grown attached to work-from-home arrangements. But hybrid work may disappear in the second Trump era.
Economic Toll of Los Angeles Fires Goes Far Beyond Destroyed Homes
The ongoing disaster will affect residents’ health, local industries, public budgets and the cost of housing for years to come.
CPI Rose in December, a Sign the Fed’s Inflation Fight Has Stalled
The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.
Defending Michigan’s Auto Industry, Whitmer Warns of Tariff Risks
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addressed the Detroit Auto Show, saying that tariffs should not be used “to punish our closest trading partners,” like Canada.
Biden Administration Adds 37 Chinese Companies to Forced Labor List
The administration announced it would penalize its largest-ever batch of companies linked to Xinjiang, including major suppliers of critical minerals and textiles.
The California FAIR Plan Faces Crucial Insurance Test
The California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, had just $377 million available last week to pay claims that could reach billions, officials [more…]
Port Workers Could Strike Again if No Deal Is Reached on Automation
Cargo could stop flowing at East and Gulf Coast ports, which handle most imports, if a union and an employers’ group can’t agree on the [more…]
Trump Chose 8 Economic Experts Who Will Defend Tariffs and Lower Taxes
President-elect Donald J. Trump has moved beyond the team-of-rivals approach from his first term and chosen economic aides who will defend tariffs and tax cuts. [more…]
Economists Are in the Wilderness. Can They Find a Way Back to Influence?
Partway through a panel discussion at a recent economics conference in San Francisco, Jason Furman, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, turned to Kimberly [more…]
Retailers may be taking a more staggered approach to holiday hiring.
Retailers may be taking a more staggered approach to holiday hiring.
U.S. Employers Add 256,000 Jobs in December
A December gain of 256,000 blew past forecasts, and unemployment fell to 4.2 percent. But markets recoiled as interest rate cuts seemed more distant.
Banks Are Racking Up Wins Even Before Trump Is Back in White House
Lobbying by banks helped torpedo a major proposal, and a top regulator announced this week that he would step down from a leadership role.
Can Low Unemployment Last Under Trump?
Hiring has slowed, but joblessness remains at levels defying economic norms. Big policy changes under a new administration could test that resilience.
SEIU Joins Forces With AFL-CIO Ahead of New Trump Era
A marriage between the service employees union and the A.F.L.-C.I.O. could better equip organized labor to deal with a less-friendly administration.
How Trump’s Greenland Plan Could Hit Ozempic, Legos and Hearing Aids
Putting tariffs on Denmark unless it cedes the island of Greenland could hurt access to a few key products, including popular medicines.
Michael Barr to Leave His Role as Fed Vice Chair for Supervision
Michael Barr oversaw an attempt to rewrite financial regulations that came under attack from a wide range of groups, including banks, lawmakers and even some [more…]
Richard A. Easterlin, ‘Father of Happiness Economics,’ Dies at 98
He put forth the so-called Easterlin paradox, finding that the richer you are doesn’t mean the more satisfied you’ll be with your life.
U.S. Weighs Ban on Chinese Drones, Citing National Security Concerns
The Commerce Department requested that private companies comment on the implications of the rule by March. The final decision will fall to the Trump administration.
Trump’s Falsehoods Aside, China’s Influence Over Global Ports Raises Concerns
The president-elect inaccurately said that Chinese soldiers operate the Panama Canal. But China’s strategic positions in shipping worry Washington officials.
Debate Over U.S. Sanctions on Russia For Ukraine War Intensifies
The president-elect has said he will use sanctions sparingly while vowing to end the war in Ukraine, renewing questions over their efficacy.
Chinese Companies Have Sidestepped Trump’s Tariffs. They Could Do It Again.
The companies have found plenty of new channels to the U.S. market — demonstrating the potential limits of the tariffs Donald Trump has promised to [more…]
Yellen Issues Debt Limit Warning to Congress
The Treasury secretary urged Congress to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by raising the debt limit.
Canadian Ministers Meet Trump Aides at Mar-a-Lago to Discuss Border, and Tariffs
President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian exports unless the country stops the flow of migrants and fentanyl to the U.S.
How A.I. Could Reshape the Economic Geography of America
As the technology is widely adopted, some once-struggling midsize cities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South may benefit, new research predicts.
Trump’s Plans to Scrap Climate Policies Has Unnerved Green Energy Investors
President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to roll back many of the rules and subsidies that have attracted billions of dollars from the private sector [more…]
Why Mergers of Carmakers Like Honda and Nissan Often Falter
The Japanese companies are considering joining forces to survive in a rapidly changing auto industry, but auto history is filled with troubled and failed marriages.
U.S. Takes Aim at China’s Production of Essential Chips
The older-style chips are crucial for a wide array of appliances and other machinery, including weaponry.
Where Does a ‘Remarkable’ U.S. Economy Go From Here?
America’s economy is far outstripping its peers, but there are serious risks, including from the president-elect.
Starbucks Workers Strike in LA, Chicago, Seattle
The walkouts in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle come after talks between the company and the workers’ union failed to produce an agreement on raises.
For Syria’s Economy, the Way Forward Starts With Sanctions Relief
Years of strife ruined the energy sector, battered the currency and strangled growth. The West must ease financial controls to help the economy, experts say.
How a Government Shutdown Could Affect the Economy
A short lapse in funding would probably do only modest damage. But it could send a troubling signal about government dysfunction.
PCE Inflation, the Fed’s Preferred Measure, Sped Up in November
The Personal Consumption Expenditures index climbed 2.4 percent from a year earlier, though the report’s details were more subdued than expected.
Nvidia’s Global Chips Sales Could Collide With US-China Tensions
The chipmaker expects more than $10 billion in foreign sales this year, but the Biden administration is advancing rules that could curb that growth.
Amazon Workers at Seven Distribution Centers Walk Out
The retail giant said it expected its operations to be largely unaffected by the strike by some Teamsters union members.
The Economy Is Finally Stable. Will That Change With Trump?
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s proposals on tariffs, immigration, taxes and deregulation may have far-reaching and contradictory effects, adding uncertainty to forecasts.
Tech Makes an Economic Case for Skilled Immigrants. Will Trump Bite?
Silicon Valley hopes that tech giants like Elon Musk could help to push the incoming Trump administration toward offering more visas to highly skilled foreign [more…]
High on Hope, Wall St. Hears What It Wants From Trump
Investors and executives are often emphasizing what they like in the president-elect’s agenda, while dismissing what they don’t as mere posturing.
Biden Prepares to Target Chinese Legacy Chips With Trade Investigation
The investigation could result in tariffs on older types of chips from China, though the decision would ultimately fall to Trump.
Jerome Powell and the Fed Head for Another Collision with Trump
Rates may not come down as much or as quickly as had been expected, just as Trump — a self-declared “low-rate guy” — returns to [more…]
Trump Backs a Longshoremen’s Union That Supported Him
President-elect Donald J. Trump is supporting the International Longshoremen’s Association, which could strike soon if it doesn’t reach a deal on automation with employers.
How U.S. Firms Battled a Government Crackdown to Keep Tech Sales to China
An intense struggle has unfolded in Washington between companies and officials over where to draw the line on selling technology to China.
U.S. Data Agency Blames Old Tech and Other Failures for Missteps
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks jobs and inflation, issued a report on what caused embarrassing episodes in which data was released improperly.
Commerce Dept. Is on the Front Lines of China Policy
The department has confronted the challenge of China by restricting key exports, a policy that is likely to continue in the Trump administration.
For Those in Need of a Job, Landing One Might Still Be a Challenge
Layoffs remain relatively low, but people who lose their jobs could be struggling to find new ones.
What Walter Mosley’s Fictional Hero Teaches Us About Race and Real Estate
Walter Mosley talks about how his fictional hero frees himself from wage labor through America’s favorite side hustle: landlording.
Fannie and Freddie, the Big Mortgage Backers, Face Climate Risks
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken.
Everybody Loves FRED: How America Fell for a Data Tool
From Facebook political debates to college classrooms, the St. Louis Fed’s data tool has gained a major following.
November Jobs Report Shows Gain of 227,000; Unemployment Rises
Hiring bounced back after disruptions from storms and a major strike.
Trump’s Threats About the Dollar Could Push Other Countries to Find Alternatives
President-elect Donald J. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that seek to replace the dollar in trade or undermine its global reserve currency status.
Biden Administration Moves to End a Minimum Wage Waiver for Disabled Workers
A plan by the Biden administration would phase out a provision that allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.
Biden Targets China’s Chip Industry With Wider Trade Bans
New rules prohibit the sale of certain types of chips and equipment to China, in an effort to close loopholes and cement the Biden administration’s [more…]
Mexican President Mulls Retaliatory Tariffs After Trump’s Threats
President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to President-elect Trump’s threat to impose high tariffs, saying such a move would inflict damage on both countries.
Fed Minutes Show Options Are Open on Interest Rate Cuts
Minutes from a Nov. 6-7 meeting showed that Federal Reserve policymakers favored lowering rates “gradually.”
Tariff Threats Show Trump’s Commitment to Upending Global Trade
The president-elect’s threat to hit Canada, Mexico and China with new tariffs is already rocking business and diplomatic relationships and could topple the trade pacts [more…]
Trump’s Tariff Threat Pits Canada Against Mexico
The president-elect’s opening salvo in trade and border talks with the United States’ neighbors is casting a harsh light on the North American alliance.
PCE, a Key Inflation Measure, Sped Up in October
Inflation has been stubborn in recent months. Now, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s tariffs loom as a potential risk.
Trump Selects Jamieson Greer as Trade Representative
The lawyer Jamieson Greer is set to be the top U.S. trade negotiator, a crucial position given the president-elect’s threats to impose tariffs on imports [more…]
Biden Cuts Intel’s Chip Award
The Silicon Valley company will receive less money from the CHIPS Act after winning a $3 billion military contract and changing some of its investment [more…]
Trump Plans Tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico That Could Cripple Trade
The president-elect said that he would impose the across-the-board tariffs on Day 1 and that they would stay in place until Canada, Mexico and China [more…]
Can Wall Street Billionaires Deliver on Trump’s Blue-Collar Promise?
The president-elect has named wealthy financiers for key economic positions, raising questions about how much they will follow through on promises to help the working [more…]
Logging Is the Deadliest Job, but Still an Oregon Way of Life
Logging has long been a way of life for rural communities in the Pacific Northwest and South. It also comes with grave risk.
Trump’s Trade Agenda Could Benefit Friends and Punish Rivals
Donald Trump has a record of pardoning favored companies from tariffs. Companies are once again lining up to try to influence him.
Trump Picks Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary
A moderate from a swing district, she received endorsements from several unions but narrowly lost her bid for a second House term.
Why Trump Allies Say Immigration Hurts American Workers
JD Vance and others on the “new right” say limiting immigration will raise wages and give jobs to sidelined Americans. Many studies suggest otherwise.
House Committee Targets Chip Technology Firms for China Ties
It requested information from a handful of firms that make chip manufacturing possible about their commercial ties to China.
Is Trump More Flexible on China Than His Hawkish Cabinet Picks Suggest?
President-elect Donald J. Trump is assembling a team of aides bent on confrontation with China. But he also has advisers who do business there, including [more…]
With Trump Tariffs Looming, Businesses Try to ‘Run From a Moving Target’
Companies are filling their warehouses or looking into moving factories as they weigh President-elect Donald J. Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on foreign goods.
