India could have its ‘Latin America moment’ amid ongoing US–China trade war, says Richard Baldwin

 ​In the article "India could have its ‘Latin America moment’ amid ongoing US–China trade war" from The Indian Express, economist Richard Baldwin draws a historical parallel between Latin America's post-World War II industrialization and India's current economic opportunity. He suggests that, much like Latin America capitalized on Britain's declining manufacturing dominance, India can now leverage the US–China trade tensions to integrate more deeply into global supply chains.​

Baldwin recommends that India adopt World Trade Organization-compliant measures to prevent the dumping of Chinese goods, a potential consequence of the trade war. Simultaneously, he emphasizes the importance of India pursuing additional trade agreements, noting that while the US accounts for only 15% of global imports, the remaining 85% presents significant opportunities for Indian exports. By strategically navigating these dynamics, India could enhance its role in global trade and manufacturing.​

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/india-latin-america-moment-us-china-trade-war-richard-baldwin-9967557/

Trump's Economic Policies Disrupt Markets

    During a period of economic uncertainty surrounding the Great Recession and its aftermath, Wall Street firms began raising the likelihood of another U.S. recession within the coming year. These warnings were largely based on expected declines in consumer spending and business investment, two key drivers of economic growth. In response to these concerns, the Trump administration took a firm stance on trade, asserting that short-term economic pain could ultimately lead to long-term gains through the renegotiation of international trade deals.

    At the same time, tensions arose between the White House and the Federal Reserve. President Trump openly criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell, expressing a desire for lower interest rates to stimulate the economy. While Trump stated he had "no intention" of firing Powell, he continued to apply public pressure on the central bank. Economists voiced concern that such political interference could compromise the Fed's independence, potentially weakening its ability to manage inflation and economic stability effectively.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/trumps-economic-policies-shake-norms-markets-uncertainty-looms/story?id=121125856

China getting hit with effects from tarrifs

 In an ever escalating trade war, China has started to feel the effects of the Trump tariffs. As the production of US bound products pause, China cannot produce as much.

They are beginning to look to new markets, but that takes time. In the mean time, workers are getting sent home because there is just no more work for them to do. It has been noted by some economists these tariffs on China will have a worse impact that COVID-19.

Companies have turned to live-streaming to try and get their products sold. While not as guaranteed as an export, the companies are trying their best to maintain some cash flow to keep their businesses afloat.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/04/28/chinese-factories-stop-production-eye-new-markets-as-us-tariffs-hit.html

Trump tariffs will hurt lower income Americans more than the rich

 

New studies show President Trump's tariffs will hurt low-income Americans more than the rich. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, in 2026, the poorest 20% of U.S. households (earning less than $29,000) will see a tax hike equal to 6.2% of their income. In contrast, the top 1% (earning over $915,000) will only see a 1.7% rise. Economists warn that tariffs raise prices on everyday items like food and clothing, hitting low-income families the hardest. Yale’s Budget Lab found the burden on lower-income groups is about 2.5 times greater than that on higher earners. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said tariffs might cause a “one-time price adjustment” but promised tax cuts are coming to help working families.

Trump’s current tariffs are wide-reaching. A 10% tariff is placed on most imports, with Mexico and Canada facing 25% tariffs on select goods. Chinese products are hit even harder with a 145% tariff. Specific items like steel, aluminum, and cars carry a 25% duty. Retailers are already raising prices, showing that tariffs are not just abstract policies, but they are affecting daily life. As the White House explores new trade deals and exemptions, the real question remains: Will future policies help fix the growing burden on American consumers? What do you think? Are tariffs helping or hurting the economy?

source: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/25/trump-tariffs-taxes-poor-rich.html

Trump's Handling of the Economy is Hurting His Approval Ratings

Recent polling shows that President Trump’s approval rating is falling as he approaches 100 days into his second term, and his handling of the economy appears to be a major reason for the decline. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, the CNN/SSRS poll, and the NBC News Stay Tuned poll have the president’s approval rating at 39%, 41%, and 45% respectively, a sharp drop from when he entered the White House in January. A large factor in this drop is his handling of the economy. The Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 72% of Americans believe that it is “very or somewhat likely that Trump’s economic policies will lead to a recession in the short term”. The polls also show that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of trade and tariffs. President Trump’s approval ratings are very partisan, with a majority of Republicans approving and a majority of Democrats disapproving, while 58% of independents disapprove. It will be important to see how these numbers effect the decisions Trump makes in the near future, especially with the midterms coming up in 2026.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/27/trump-approval-rating-economy-immigration-polls.html

Public Outcry Reverses Cuts to Women's Health Initiative

The Trump administration’s decision to restore funding to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) comes as a huge relief to women’s health researchers and advocates across the country. After initially announcing plans to cut funding—a move that shocked and outraged the scientific community—public backlash was swift and intense, ultimately pressuring the administration to reverse its decision. This is welcome news for a study that has made groundbreaking contributions for decades, following tens of thousands of women and transforming what we know about aging, chronic disease, and women’s health. Over the years, the WHI has led to major shifts in medical practice, such as reevaluating the belief that hormone therapy protects the heart, resulting in safer, more effective care. Without continued funding, decades of invaluable data and future lifesaving discoveries would have been at risk.

The restoration of funding highlights the critical importance of protecting long-term research, especially studies that address historical gaps where women’s health was often overlooked. Scientists leading the WHI described the reversal as “thrilling”—and for good reason. With over 40,000 women still participating, the study continues to offer rare and crucial insights into chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Keeping the WHI alive isn’t just about maintaining a database; it’s about ensuring a healthier future for women and future generations. Because of public pressure and the researchers who refused to stay silent, this once-in-a-lifetime study will continue to change lives for years to come.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/24/nx-s1-5376473/hhs-restores-funding-for-womens-health-initiative#:~:text=In%20a%20reversal%2C%20the%20Trump%20administration%20restores%20funding%20for%20women's%20health%20study,-Listen%C2%B7%203%3A23&text=The%20Trump%20administration%20is%20restoring,decision%20that%20shocked%20medical%20researchers.

Purchasing Surge Prior to Tariffs

In March, companies rushed to make purchases of durable goods in advance of tariff implementations. Durable goods experienced a 9.2% increase, about nine times the increase in February, and six times the forecasted increase for March. Non-defense aircraft and parts surged 139%, accounting for the majority of this increase, followed by transportation equipment, automobiles and appliances. 

The increase within the durable goods industry for April will be interesting, as the 90 day pause on tariffs most likely halted this surge. It will be intriguing to analyze the future impact this may have on companies financially. Did companies increase their debt load significantly in an attempt to save money in the long run? If so, how will the sudden increase in debt impact operations? These are questions that not only companies need to consider, but investors as well. The ripple effect of Tariffs is much more significant than some may recognize, and uncertainty during the current 90 day pause is adding fuel to the fire. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/orders-for-big-ticket-items-like-autos-and-appliances-surged-9point2percent-in-march-in-rush-to-beat-tariffs.html