Here’s why U.S. small businesses don’t export more

May 21, 2018
The Commerce Department kicks off World Trade Week on Monday. It’s honoring 43 U.S. exporters. Thirty-three of them are small- or mid-sized businesses. But as it turns out, small businesses could be exporting more. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Study finds housing shortages in 22 states

Apr 17, 2018
The Commerce Department reports March housing starts Tuesday, giving us a snapshot of new home construction. U.S. housing production is finally returning to pre-recession levels, but a new report underscores that we’re still not building new homes fast enough to meet demand in 22 states. And while much of that demand is in the state […]

Does data mean retailers are pulling back?

Feb 14, 2018
We got some number today hot off the keyboards of the folks at the Commerce Department. They show that retail spending in January was lower than December by 0.3 percent. That dip was notable because the consensus was actually that it would be slighter higher. A drop when you’re expecting an increase, that turned some […]

Trump administration hits Canada with new tariffs

Apr 25, 2017
The Commerce Department announced new tariffs of 3 percent to 24 percent on Canadian lumber companies, saying the Canadian government unfairly subsidizes the industry. Some American companies will have to pay the fee retroactively for orders delivered in the last 90 days. This debate has been ongoing for decades, and Canada denies it unfairly supports […]

Trump digs into trade abuse with two orders

Mar 31, 2017
President Trump issued two executive orders dealing with trade today. One will start a 90-day clock for the Commerce Department to report back on countries unfairly subsidizing their exports to the U.S. That’s called dumping. Second, the administration will look into whether countervailing duties imposed by the U.S. when it finds another country is dumping are […]

The Commerce Secretary on the digital economy's future

Nov 1, 2016
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker talks about her department's attempts to modernize its role in the digital economy.
Thomas Hsu/Internet Association

Commerce Department set to release retail sales

Aug 12, 2016
Though big brick-and-mortar stores aren't doing that well, consumers are spending.
Job gains are having an effect on consumer confidence, according to one expert.
Kevin Hagen/Getty Images

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Consumer spending is slowing down and so is the GDP

Apr 28, 2016
Gross domestic product rose 0.5 percent at the start of 2016, with business investment and exports falling, and spending by consumers slowing down.
Shoppers walk along Lexington Avenue in the eastern Midtown section of Manhattan on April 29, 2015 in New York City. According to the Federal Reserve Bank, growth of the U.S. gross domestic product - the value of goods and services produced in the U.S. - has slowed for the first quarter of 2015.  
Kevin Hagen/Getty Images

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on the future of the TPP

Apr 15, 2016
Secretary Pritzker joined Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal to discuss set-top boxes, creating competition and the status of the Trans- Pacific Partnership
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew (L), Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker (2nd L) and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (R) wait for the beginning of a hearing before House Ways and Means Committee April 22, 2015 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The committee held the hearing on ''Expanding American Trade with Accountability and Transparency.'' 
Alex Wong (Getty Images)

What goes into the 'durable goods index'

Jan 27, 2015
Long-lasting goods are one way to measure health of U.S. manufacturing sector.