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Aside from Trump tariffs, steel and aluminum have little in common

Feb 10, 2025
The metals are paired as targets for import duties, but they serve different markets. Domestic steel has spare capacity, aluminum not so much.
The U.S. imports half of its aluminum supply and less than a third of steel.
STR/AFP via Getty Images

Why China's tariff reaction included an investigation into Google

Feb 5, 2025
The tech giant’s flagship search engine, along with YouTube, have been largely unavailable in China for years.
Google pulled out of China in 2019 after the country was implicated in a hack of Google’s corporate data.
STR/AFP via Getty Image

Tariffs are looming. But a lot of things are shaping oil prices this year.

Feb 4, 2025
Thanks to abundant supply and fairly flat demand, oil prices are forecast to fall — unless tariffs and geopolitics get in the way.
Despite abundant supply and flattening demand, oil prices have been volatile thanks to the threat of tariffs.
David McNew/Getty Images

Gold is rushing from London to New York

Feb 3, 2025
Companies' efforts to get ahead of possible U.S. tariffs on metals is causing a shortage of the valuable element in the United Kingdom.
The price of gold has climbed despite high interest rates and a strong dollar.
David Gray/AFP via Getty Images.

Unpacking some of Donald Trump's first executive orders

Jan 21, 2025
Trump promised tariffs on Day One. None have been announced so far.
President Donald Trump signs executive orders on Monday.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

How politics could derail the world economy in 2025

Ian Bremmer of the Eurasia Group says a volatile Mideast, Russian disruption and a strained U.S.-China relationship could all prove harmful.
cbarnesphotography/Getty Images

American companies are already pivoting ahead of Trump's proposed tariffs

Dec 27, 2024
Many companies are rushing to stock up and insulate themselves from likely higher import duties under Donald Trump's second presidency.
Steve Madden is among the American companies looking to relocate production ahead of a second Trump administration.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Why tariffs will hurt American consumers and fail to compensate for tax cuts

Dec 13, 2024
Tariffs are a tax that American companies pay to the U.S. government when importing goods. To make up their bigger tax bill, those companies tend to hike prices.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Searching the world for hat manufacturers

Dec 12, 2024
This past spring, Eric Bauer bought the Turner Hat Company, but looming tariffs have thrown a wrench in his plans for the company in 2025.
Eric Bauer is an entrepeneur based in Seattle, Washington.
Courtesy Eric Bauer

Violin maker crafts a strategy to deal with tariffs

Nov 20, 2024
With import charges looming, Wesley Rule, owner of Knoxville Fine Violins, is considering alternatives to Chinese-made instruments.
Wesley Rule is a luthier, or stringed-instrument craftsman.
Courtesy Wesley Rule