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, […]
Barkin: Trump policies are creating feelings of instability
Changes in federal government policy have created a sense of instability, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin said Thursday when discussing the year’s economic outlook. During a lecture at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, he said that at the end of 2024, businesses were “overwhelmingly optimistic” and conditions looked “rosy.” […]
Global automakers say Trump’s tariffs will be painful for them and US consumers
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Whatever domestic economic gain comes from U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 25% tax on imported cars – and experts are skeptical – automakers around the world are bracing for a lot of pain. In Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada and across Europe, the world’s largest automakers employ millions of people whose livelihoods depend […]
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 […]
Canada is not our enemy, Kaine says
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia’s junior Democratic senator, feels strongly that Canada doesn’t pose a national security threat to the United States — a contrast to President Donald Trump, who has threatened the Great White North with tariffs as retaliation for what he says are insufficient efforts at keeping drugs from coming across its border. […]
US cities located in states won by Trump would be most hurt by Canadian tariffs, an analysis finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. cities most vulnerable to a trade war with Canada turn out to largely be in the states that helped return Donald Trump to the White House — a sign of the possible political risk he’s taking with his tariff plans. A new analysis released Thursday by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce detailed […]
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[...]
Copper prices have soared as the US threatens tariffs on the metal and China boosts its economy
NEW YORK (AP) — Copper prices have hit record highs as an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and its key trading partners threatens to squeeze supplies of the vital metal. Buyers in the U.S. have been stocking up on copper ahead of potential tariffs. Future prices for the base metal hit $5.21 per pound […]
Trump places 25% tariffs on auto imports
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was placing 25% tariffs on auto imports, a move the White House claims would foster domestic manufacturing but could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains. “This will continue to spur growth,” Trump told reporters. “We’ll effectively be charging a […]
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 […]