Trump says high tariffs may have prevented the Great Depression. History says different
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the early days of the Great Depression, Rep. Willis Hawley, a Republican from Oregon, and Utah Republican Sen. Reed Smoot thought they had landed on a way to protect American farmers and manufacturers from foreign competition: tariffs. President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930, even as many economists […]
As markets implode, US trading partners puzzle over whether there’s room for negotiations
BRUSSELS (AP) — America’s trading partners wrestled with responses to U.S. President Donald Trump‘s blast of tariff hikes and some planned to send negotiators to Washington, while the head of the European Union’s executive commission offered mutual reduction of tariffs – while warning that retaliation was an option too. “We stand ready to negotiate with the United [&h[...]
Panic Monday: World stock markets plunge again as Trump doubles down on tariffs
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Global stock markets extended a severe plunge Monday, fueled by fears that U.S. tariffs would lead to a global economic slowdown. European and Asian shares saw dramatic losses, the leading U.S. index flirted with bear market territory in pre-market trading, and oil prices sagged. The massive sell-off in riskier assets at the start […]
Trump says things are ‘going very well’ after worst stock market drop in years over tariffs
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump offered a rosy assessment after the stock market dropped sharply Thursday over his tariffs, saying, “I think it’s going very well.” “The markets are going to boom, the stock is going to boom, the country is going to boom,” he said when asked about the market as he left the White […]
US added a surprising 228,000 jobs last month, as the American economy shows resilience amid Trump’s trade wars
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a surprising 228,000 jobs last month, as the American labor market continues to show resilience as President Donald Trump wages trade wars, purges federal workers and deports immigrants working in the United States illegally. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. The hiring numbers were up from 117,000 in […]
Wealth advisers reveal ways to avoid bumps
Financial markets have been remarkably resilient this year, with various stock indexes notching new record highs, even as a dizzying number of headlines from Washington, D.C., seem poised to whipsaw investors. Uncertainty persists about how the economy — and, by virtue, financial markets — will fare, given President Donald Trump‘s moves to aggressively slash federal […]
Our View: Trump charts chaotic course in trade wars
Since taking office on Jan. 20 for his second term, President Donald Trump has steered the ship of state full speed on a seemingly chaotic course, mostly navigating an about-face from the Biden administration’s policies and only very occasionally zigzagging away from buffeting winds of public disapproval. In support of making progress on the administration’s […]
Noted economist honored by Trump warns his 25% tariffs could add $4,711 to the cost of a vehicle
WASHINGTON (AP) — Noted economist Arthur Laffer warns in a new analysis that President Donald Trump‘s 25% tariffs on auto imports could add $4,711 to the cost of a vehicle and says the proposed taxes could weaken the ability of U.S. automakers to compete with their foreign counterparts. In the 21-page analysis obtained by The Associated Press, […]
U.S. economy grew 2.4% in the 4th quarter after upgrade in final growth estimate
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy expanded at a healthy annual 2.4% pace the final three months of 2024, supported by a year-end surge in consumer spending, the government said Thursday in a slight upgrade of its previous estimate of fourth-quarter growth. But it’s unclear whether the United States can sustain that growth as President Donald Trump wages […]
Stock market today: Wall Street slips following Trump’s latest tariffs, despite solid economic data
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street edged lower Thursday after getting pulled in opposite directions as President Donald Trump’s latest tariff escalation creates winners and losers among auto stocks. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% after drifting between small gains and losses several times through the day. Better-than-expected data on the economy also helped support the market. The Dow Jone[...]
Stock market today: Wall Street drifts ahead of report on US consumer confidence
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is holding steadier Tuesday after roaring the day before on hopes that President Donald Trump’s tariffs may not be as sweeping as earlier feared. The S&P 500 was 0.1% higher in early trading after jumping 1.8% on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 58 points, or 0.1%, as of 9:35 a.m. […]
US consumer confidence tumbles for 4th consecutive month to 12-year low
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth straight month amid rising concern over tariffs and inflation. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 7.2 points in March to 92.9. Analysts were expecting a decline to a reading of 94.5, according to a survey by FactSet. The Conference Board’s report Tuesday […]