Tom Howell Jr.

Economy contracted in first quarter, fueling recession concerns

The U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter as companies stocked up on imports, a sign that President Trump's aggressive trade tactics are having an impact.

April 30, 2025

Trump pumps the brakes on some auto tariffs

President Trump granted limited relief from his auto tariffs with an executive order Tuesday that keeps automakers from facing multiple forms of taxation under his system of levies.

April 29, 2025

Amazon says it will not list tariff prices on its discount site

Online retailer Amazon says the low-cost arm of its web store considered putting tariff costs next to its prices, but the plan was not authorized and is "not going to happen."

April 29, 2025

Bessent: Tariff revenue will provide income tax relief

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that revenue from President Trump's tariffs could be so great that it provides relief from federal income taxes.

April 29, 2025

U.S. agriculture sector sees China orders dry up as trade war stagnates

China is a "threatened market" for U.S. farmers as the trade impasse between Beijing and Washington leads to canceled orders and a complex scramble to find new markets, a major trade group said Monday.

April 28, 2025

Treasury Secretary Bessent says onus is on China to de-escalate trade war

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday it is "up to China" to de-escalate President Trump's trade war with Beijing, pointing to its export-heavy economy.

April 28, 2025

Trump endorses himself in Canada’s national election

President Trump wished Canada "good luck" in its major election on Monday and made an endorsement -- himself.

April 28, 2025

Beijing says Chinese President Xi didn’t call Trump

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday that President Xi Jinping has not called President Trump about trade.

April 28, 2025

Trump says China-U.S. trade talks are happening; Beijing disputes that

President Trump on Thursday said trade negotiations are unfolding between the U.S. and China but refused to say who was involved, adding to confusion around the tariff spat after Beijing said no such talks are underway.

April 24, 2025

China says trade talks with U.S. haven’t started

China on Thursday said there haven't been any trade talks between its side and the U.S., pushing back on comments from the Trump administration that signaled a possible thaw in the trade war.

April 24, 2025

Bessent, Trump talk up trade deal with China, cheering markets

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said the U.S. and China can reach a "big deal" if Beijing is serious about rebalancing its economy toward satisfying domestic demand instead of flooding the world with cheap goods.

April 23, 2025

Bessent says U.S. won’t retreat from world, eyes ‘big deal’ with China

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday promoted President Trump's tariff plan as an overdue mission to make global trade fairer and combat China's flood of cheap exports.

April 23, 2025

Wall Street rallies on Trump’s softer approach to Powell, China

Wall Street rallied Wednesday after President Trump softened his rhetoric on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and China.

April 23, 2025

White House claims ‘a lot of progress’ on trade as IMF cuts growth forecast

The White House on Tuesday said it's making "a lot of progress" in reducing trade barriers through bilateral deals with nations, pointing to over a dozen written proposals and a recent breakthrough with India.

April 22, 2025

Trump to make two-day trip to Rome for funeral of Pope Francis

President Trump will depart Washington on Friday morning to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome over the weekend, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

April 22, 2025

IMF downgrades growth forecast for U.S., pointing to ‘negative shock’ from tariffs

The International Monetary Fund slashed its 2025 growth forecast for the U.S. economy to 1.8%, a 0.9-point decrease from January, spurred by President Trump's trade actions and policy uncertainty.

April 22, 2025

Vance says trade upheaval will pay off for U.S., partner nations like India

President Trump's effort to rebalance global trade will cause "profound changes" but will ultimately produce "great benefits" for Americans and partner nations such as India, Vice President J.D. Vance said Tuesday.

April 22, 2025

Trump ramps up attacks on Powell while China flexes, markets fall again

Wall Street markets cratered again Monday as investors reacted to President Trump's decision to dial up attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell, even dubbing him a "major loser," and trade talks faced an uncertain path to success.

April 21, 2025

VP Vance, Indian Prime Minister Modi set the table for bilateral trade deal

Vice President J.D. Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a personal meeting Monday to finalize a roadmap for a future bilateral trade deal between their countries.

April 21, 2025

Trump ramps up attacks on Fed chair as ‘major loser,’ stocks fall again

President Trump escalated his attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Monday, dubbing him a "major loser" who is dragging his feet on lowering interest rates.

April 21, 2025