Economy
Warren Buffett announces his retirement and warns the trade war will hurt America
The billionaire investor, now 94, also said he would be resigning as CEO at the end of the year. He spoke at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting known as "Woodstock for Capitalists."
The U.S. job market cooled slightly as Trump’s trade war heated up
U.S. employers added 177,000 jobs in April — a modest slowdown from the previous month, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.
Shein and Temu will cost more, thanks to massive tariffs going into effect
Shein and Temu goods might not be so cheap anymore. Starting today, the U.S. will start collecting import fees on small packages from China, much of which comes from Chinese e-commerce sites.
China mulls U.S. overtures on trade talks, but demands tariffs be canceled
Exporters, importers and recent government statistics all suggest that trade in both directions is slowing sharply as a result of the tariffs. Neither side appears willing to be seen giving ground.
Does your online shopping receipt show what you’re paying in tariffs? Let us know
Have you recently bought something online, and your receipt showed how much more you're paying as a result of tariffs? If so, please share your receipt with NPR.
Anxious about your money right now? Financial advice in times of economic uncertainty
With stock market volatility and fears of price increases driven by the new tariffs, you may be worried about your finances. A certified financial planner explains how to navigate these tricky times.
Trump promised a ‘golden age’ for the economy. Then he unveiled tariffs
President Trump promised a new "golden age" for the United States. But his first 100 days in office have left the economy looking tarnished.
More give Trump an F than any other grade for first 100 days, poll finds
Nearly half of Americans give President Trump a failing grade for his presidency so far, with near record low approval ratings at this point in the job, as he hits the milestone 100 days in office.
Trump is giving automakers a break on tariffs
The formal announcement is expected ahead of a Tuesday night rally in Michigan marking the president's 100 days in office. It's the latest shift in Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs.
Big brands are officially worried about American shoppers
Makers of our food and home essentials, including Pepsi and Procter & Gamble, are cutting their financial forecasts for the year and predicting lower sales or profits than before.
A small U.S. town grew a big company. Can it weather the tariff blizzard?
A rural Minnesota town is home to the biggest tech giant you've never heard of. Now it's riding out an unprecedented kind of storm.
Stocks gain on hopes Trump will ease tensions with the Fed — and China
The Dow Jones advanced after Trump said he wouldn't fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and on hopes of easing tensions over tariffs with China.
Trade wars grew America’s auto industry. Historians warn today’s tariffs won’t
Past success bringing foreign car companies stateside means the U.S. has more to lose and less to gain in today’s trade wars.
The global economy will be hit hard by Trump’s tariffs, IMF warns
The International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecasts for the global economy to 2.8% as President Trump's tariffs risk sparking a trade war.
Sell USA? Why Trump’s tariffs may be sparking a historic storm on Wall Street
When Trump announced sweeping tariffs this month, he called it "Liberation Day." But there are fears that it may well have been the day foreign investors started to lose faith in the United States.
How tariffs could impact the availability of baby products
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Steven Dunn founder and CEO of Munchkin a U.S.-based company selling lifestyle products for mothers, babies and children. Dunn has written an open letter to President Trump and Congress about how tariffs could harm his business and American families.
Trump calls for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s ‘termination’ in blistering attack
President Trump lashed out at Powell for not acting sooner to lower interest rates. The president's own tariffs make that more difficult, by putting upward pressure on prices.
Tariffs make sour grapes for American winemakers
American winemakers tell us why tariffs hurt their industry.
Retail sales jump as people rush to buy cars ahead of tariffs
The key driver of the economy saw the biggest increase in over two years in March, as car buyers tried to get ahead of President Trump's tariffs on imported autos and auto parts.
Why is Alabama’s workforce participation rate so low? And what’s being done to improve it?
While Alabama boasts an unemployment rate that is among the lowest in the country, its workforce participation rate consistently lags the national average, meaning a large portion of Alabamians are neither employed nor actively seeking work. This has raised concerns both about barriers to employment for individuals and about the state’s economic future.
Hong Kong post office will stop shipping parcels to the U.S. over tariffs
Hong Kong is caught in the middle of the trade disputes between the U.S. and China despite being a free port. The former British colony has trade and customs policies different from mainland China's.
Trump’s tariffs have been a source of both hope and fear among Gulf South industries
As Wall Street swings wildly under the weight of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, reactions in the Gulf South are mixed.
Are UAB officials mum about grant cuts because they fear a spiteful president?
Cuts to federal research grants could cost UAB $70 million a year, leading to layoffs and economic impacts beyond the campus. Some faculty and area leaders want UAB to be more vocal against the Trump administration cutbacks.
Data centers bring billions to Mississippi. Are the investments worth the risk?
State leaders have lauded the beginning of two new projects, but some industry experts said they come with big power demands and few permanent jobs.
Under Trump, Huntsville might finally gain Space Command. It could also lose much more
The 1,600 jobs Space Command would bring to the Rocket City might not make up for potential cuts to NASA and the Department of Defense.
Deep cuts to NIH funding would cause economic harm across Trump-friendly Alabama
Birmingham has become one of the country’s leading hubs for biomedical research. Banners downtown brag about the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s status in the top 1% of institutions for NIH funding, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars into the region.
Tourism in New Orleans remains strong despite terrorist attack. Will the trend last?
The Super Bowl is in town, and so far, fears that visitors would avoid the big game because of January’s attack on Bourbon Street have not rang true.
One-day strikes are in: Why unions are keeping it short on the picket line
Strikes can be a double-edged sword. Keeping them short can help workers gain leverage while minimizing the pain for those who don’t have it.
Here are 3 questions to ask before panic buying during a supply chain breakdown
The dock worker strike in October led to some shoppers panic buying the wrong items. Here are tips for how to prep the right way, according to experts.
It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time in McCalla: Smuckers opens biggest Uncrustables factory in the country
The facility represents a more than $1 billion capital investment from Smuckers and is predicted to bring in 750 jobs to the community.
Amazon workers in Alabama will have third labor union vote after judge finds illegal influence
Administrative law judge Michael Silverstein on Tuesday ordered the third vote for Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama after determining that Amazon committed six violations leading up to the second election in March 2022.
‘Five Points South is so much more than that’: residents reflect one month after mass shooting
How is the neighborhood holding up in the weeks since a mass shooting left four people dead and 17 wounded.
