Economy
Trump says the U.S. has signed a deal with China on trade, without giving details
The U.S. and China have signed an agreement on trade, President Donald Trump said, adding he expects to soon have a deal with India.
The paperwork trap: A sneaky way to cut Medicaid in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’?
Republicans want to add work requirements for Americans to get Medicaid. Is that a necessary step to fight "waste, fraud, and abuse" or a sneaky way of cutting the social safety net?
What separates the ultrarich from the just-plain-rich? The gigayacht.
A new collection of essays by New Yorker writer Evan Osnos, The Haves and Have-Yachts, provides rich research and material for the conversation about extreme wealth in America today.
Social Security benefits face big cuts in 2033, unless Congress acts
Trustees of the Social Security trust fund predict the fund will be exhausted in eight years. Unless Congress acts, Social Security payments will automatically drop by 23% at that time.
Cloudy with a chance of showers? Fed’s economic forecast coming today
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday. Members of the central bank's rate-setting committee will telegraph their plans for possible rate cuts later this year.
Oil prices jump and stocks tumble following Israel’s attack on Iran
Israel's attack on Iran sparked the biggest jump in crude oil prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. Stocks fell sharply.
Why there’s an unexpected surge in people claiming Social Security
Some early filers say worries about the future under the Trump administration moved up their timelines.
Mississippi’s tech scene is in a catch-22. How can it move forward?
Mississippi ranks near the bottom for the size of its tech industry. But despite its shortcomings, some believe the state is not far from its own tech boom.
Inflation is holding steady as Trump’s tariffs have yet to fully hit
Consumer prices in May were up 2.4% from a year ago, but inflation eased on a monthly basis, according to the latest figures from the Labor Department
The U.S. and China have agreed on a framework to resolve their trade disputes
After two days of talks in London, the U.S. and China have agreed in principle on a framework to carry out an agreement they reached on resolving their trade disputes last month, Chinese state media said.
Is all this talk of recession indicators a sign a recession is coming?
For generations, people have looked for small, informal signs that a recession is coming or already here. This phenomenon recently exploded on social media, often in joke form.
Wall Street CEOs are cycling through the five stages of tariff grief
As they process President Trump's chaotic tariffs and other economic policies, some of the country's most powerful CEOs are moving from denial and bargaining to public anger and depression.
Trump’s trade war is raising money for the government, but at whose expense?
Tariff collections are up sharply in the last 2 months. Congressional forecasters say tariffs could help reduce the federal debt, but they'll also lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth.
Hiring slowed in May, as employers added 139,000 jobs
U.S. employers added 139,000 jobs in May — a modest slowdown from the previous month. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, as the workforce shrank.
Sen. Tim Kaine says Trump’s tariffs could reduce federal debt, but at what cost?
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who is also on the Senate Budget Committee, about how President Trump's tariffs will affect the federal budget and the economy.
Why inflation data won’t include prices from these cities in Utah, Nebraska and New York
The federal government is scaling back data collection used to calculate the inflation rate. Economists warn that could make for less accurate cost-of-living measures.
Trump’s tariffs could cut deficit by $2.8 trillion over next decade — with caveats
The Congressional Budget Office projected President Trump's tariffs could raise trillions of dollars over the next decade — but they could also lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth.
A New Orleans restaurant owner’s Facebook was hacked. It put her business in jeopardy
While multi-million dollar ransomware attacks and data thefts targeting governments and industry giants grab headlines, small businesses increasingly find themselves in online scammers’ crosshairs.
With steel tariffs doubling today, a North Carolina manufacturer wonders how to compete
President Trump is doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. It's designed to protect domestic steel and aluminum workers, but critics say it will raise prices for those that use the metals.
One company forecasting a better year ahead? Dollar General
People are spending more at Dollar General. In part, that's thanks to shoppers trading down from more expensive stores.
Can bringing back manufacturing help the heartland catch up with ‘superstar’ cities?
In recent decades, America has seen economic opportunities concentrated in superstar cities. Manufacturing boosters hope reshoring factories could help change that. We look at the theory and evidence.
Will I get refunds? Small businesses wonder as courts rule on Trump tariffs
Court rulings against President Trump's tariffs could spell relief for many American importers — if the decisions hold. For now, the uncertainty remains.
Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing tariffs under emergency powers law
The ruling from a three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade came after several lawsuits arguing that Trump has exceeded his authority.
Alabama study reveals hurricane resilience programs are paying off for homeowners and insurers
The first-of-its-kind analysis, released last week, reviews thousands of insurance claims linked to Hurricane Sally, which struck Alabama’s coast in 2020. Homes retrofitted or built to Fortified standards saw significantly fewer and less costly claims.
Are manufacturing jobs actually special?
More than half of American workers don't have a college degree. Is manufacturing a ticket for them to the middle class?
Why ‘Sell America’ is trending on Wall Street
Investors are worried about the ongoing trade war — and rethinking the safety and soundness of U.S. government debt.
No more pennies: In big change, Treasury will stop minting them
In a cost-cutting move, the Treasury Department will soon stop minting new pennies. The one-cent coins will still be legal tender. There are more than 100 billion pennies in circulation but many are gathering dust in change jars and forgotten pockets.
Is AI coming for your job? Maybe. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare
Artificial intelligence is already transforming workplaces in Alabama. And the pace of the AI revolution is about to accelerate.
Retailers feel pressure to eat the price increases from tariffs
From Target to Walmart, retailers are fighting two battles at once: a financial battle to keep costs low in the face of new tariffs, and a political one to avoid the president's wrath.
Home Depot doesn’t plan to raise prices due to tariffs. But some items may disappear
The home improvement chain broke from many other retailers, who say they cannot afford to absorb new tariffs. President Trump recently attacked Walmart for warning of price hikes.
Trump has imposed a lot of tariffs. But here’s why collecting them can be hard
Collecting Trump's tariffs could be tricky. The agencies that screen imports say they're frequently overwhelmed and understaffed, and experts say exporters are becoming cannier at evading taxes.
What a Texas showerhead salesman discovered about ‘Made in the USA’ labels
A Texas showerhead salesman wanted to know how much more customers would pay to buy a product that's made in the USA. The answer could pour cold water on President Trump's plan to encourage more companies to open factories in the U.S.
