US electric vehicle industry is collateral damage in Trump’s escalating trade war
DETROIT (AP) — President Donald Trump‘s tariff blitz has sent shock waves throughout every aspect of the global economy, including the auto sector, where multi-billion-dollar plans to electrify in the United States are especially at risk. Here’s what consumers should know about the impact of tariffs on electric vehicles. Where does EV adoption stand in the U.S.? […]
Fear that Trump tariffs will spark recession slashes billions of dollars from US stock values
U.S. companies had billions of dollars in value wiped out after President Donald Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on foreign imports. Virtually every sector suffered big losses Thursday as U.S. financial markets careened toward their biggest one-day drop since COVID-19 flattened the global economy five years ago. Banks, retailers, clothing, airlines and technology companies were among the hardest [...]
Could Hyundai be the Port of Charleston’s next big export customer?
The largest development project in Georgia history is open for business and there could be something in it for South Carolina, too, says the president and CEO of the Palmetto State’s port system. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America on March 26 celebrated the official opening of a plant that will produce Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles […]
No batteries? Thinner packaging? US businesses look for ways to offset tariffs
NEW YORK (AP) — Gadgets sold without batteries. Toys sold in slimmed-down boxes or no packaging at all. More household goods that shoppers need to assemble themselves. These are some of the ways consumer product companies are retooling their wares to reduce costs and avoid raising prices as President Donald Trump levies new import taxes on key […]
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, […]
Founders of Black-owned brands adapt their hopes and business plans for a post-DEI era
NEW YORK (AP) — The co-founders of a company that makes lip products for darker skin tones no longer hope to get their line into Target. A brother and sister who make jigsaw puzzles celebrating Black subjects wonder if they need to offer “neutral” images like landscapes to keep growing. Pound Cake and Puzzles of Color […]
Dollar Tree plans to sell Family Dollar to private equity firms for $1B
Chesapeake-based Fortune 500 discount retailer Dollar Tree has reached a deal with Brigade Capital Management, a New York-based global asset management firm, and Macellum Capital Management, an investment firm with headquarters also in New York, to acquire its Family Dollar brand for about $1 billion after a decade of trying to make its acquisition of […]
Trump Town owner found not guilty of assault, indecent exposure
A judge Monday found Donald “Whitey” Taylor, owner of Boones Mill’s Trump Town retail store, not guilty of misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and assaulting three store employees. “It was very rewarding,” Taylor said of the verdict. “These ladies were just looking for money.” Requests for comment from the Franklin County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney and to [&hellip[...]
While Youngkin celebrates Virginia’s labor force gains, economists warn of future unemployment
Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he feels good about the state’s employment landscape. In an announcement Tuesday, the governor celebrated that Virginia added 7,100 more jobs in January 2025, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “More Virginians are working than ever in the commonwealth as jobs and opportunity continue to expand […]
Forever No More. Operator of mall staple Forever 21 files for bankruptcy protection
Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection for a second time and plans to close down its U.S. business as traffic in U.S. shopping malls fades and competition from online retailers like Amazon, Temu and Shein intensifies. F21 OpCo, which runs Forever 21 stores, said late Sunday that it will wind down the business in […]
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. Retail sales rose just 0.2% in February, a small rebound after a sharp drop of 1.2% in January, […]
Dollar Tree adds three new board members
Chesapeake-based Fortune 500 discount retailer Dollar Tree announced Friday that it has appointed three new members to its board of directors. The new board members include William “Bill” W. Douglas III, Timothy “Tim” Johnson and Dollar Tree CEO Michael C. Creedon Jr. “Bill and Tim are both esteemed financial leaders with a strong understanding of […]