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 

As California becomes worlds 4th largest economy, it's residents still worry

This week California took Japan's spot as the worlds 4th largest economy, as it's GDP reached $4.1 trillion. Governor Newsom praised his states economy, while warning about the possible negative effects of Trumps tarrifs on their growing economy. However, Californian's have gripes with more than just national policy, as many still grapple with the effects of the wildfires- and the possibility that they will hit again. 

When the February fires hit, one of the big concerns was the ability for insurance companies to pay out that much damage. This led some to suggest novel economic ideas like insurance companies needing their own insurance- and others to look to more preventative measures. Since then, however, there has not been much progress in either directions and according to a new survey from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Californians are still worried. Residents are more likely to blame insurance companies and the government for the problems in housing insurance, and are upset over the inability of these groups to limit risk. 56% say they support subsidies for home owners to help mitigate this risk, but only 41% are willing to pay more taxes to achieve this. It seems little progress has been made politically or elsewhere to broker a solution to this increasingly frequent problem.

Sources: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/25/business/california-japan-economy-tariffs-intl-hnk/index.html 

https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/siepr-survey-californians-weigh-home-insurance-crisis-economic-outlook

 

Alphabet jumps 3% as search, advertising units show resilient growth:

Alphabet’s first-quarter report on April 25, 2025 sent the stock up roughly 3 percent after the company topped Wall Street expectations and demonstrated that its core search and advertising engines remain robust even amid AI-driven competition and tariff uncertainty. Revenue grew 12 percent year-over-year to $90.23 billion (vs. $89.12 billion expected), while diluted EPS jumped to $2.81, lifting net income 46 percent to $34.54 billion. Advertising sales climbed 8.5 percent to $66.89 billion, with “Search and other” up 9.8 percent to $50.7 billion and YouTube bringing in $8.93 billion, just shy of forecasts. Management noted that eliminating the U.S. de minimis import exemption in May could create a modest headwind for Asia-Pacific ad spending, but said it is too early to gauge the broader impact of new tariffs. Meanwhile, Google’s AI Overviews feature has expanded to 1.5 billion monthly users, and analysts argue the market is still underestimating the monetization potential of this tool and AI-related cloud demand. Overall, the results reassured investors that Alphabet’s legacy businesses are holding up while its aggressive generative-AI rollout opens new growth runways.

Link

Trump versus Education (Redux: Public Schools)

    Three Federal Judges have blocked Presidents Trump's attempt to stop schools with D.E.I programing from recieveing funding, calling it an overstep, and pointing to a lack of clear definition as to what D.E.I programs meant. The attempt- which was through a Dear College letter suggesting K-12 schools would have to go through a certification program to make sure D.E.I was eliminated- is another action in a long list of efforts by the administration to fight Diveristy Equity and Inclusion programs through withholding funds, which the courts are continuing to fight. These cuts would likely affect programs like Title 1 which help the most underprivledged youth in the system, and hurt many districts budgets severely. The judges who ruled against it cited issues of free speech being restricted, and worry over what could be lumped in with "Diversity Equity Inclusion". Federal Judge Landya McCafferty was the first to issue an injunction, and is an Obama appointee, however the two other judges were appointees under President Trump. Many have filed lawsuits against Trump's letter, including the NCAAP and the National Education Association. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible for Trump to use this tactics in the future, considering similar lawsuits on the collegiate level from Harvard, and the Supreme Courts lack of capitulation to Trump.

Sources: https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5265780-judge-trump-dei-public-schools-k-12-colleges-mcmahon/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/us/trump-public-school-funds-dei.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20250424&instance_id=153224&nl=from-the-times&regi_id=217822652&segment_id=196657&user_id=4e911fca78fe02d77f9a84a8b21d7c45

Japan weighs using U.S. rice imports as tariff negotiation tool with Trump

 Japan is considering increasing imports of U.S. rice as a strategic move in trade negotiations with former President Donald Trump, should he return to office. Currently, Japan imports about 770,000 metric tons of rice annually tariff-free under a WTO agreement, with the U.S. accounting for nearly half. Trump previously criticized Japan’s rice tariffs, often citing inflated figures. To ease tensions, Japan may propose a new import quota of 70,000 tons of U.S. rice—a measure previously included in the abandoned TPP and postponed in the 2019 U.S.-Japan trade deal. However, the idea is politically sensitive, as domestic rice farmers strongly support the ruling party. Additionally, rice prices in Japan remain high, raising concerns about food security and dependence on foreign imports.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/23/economy/rice-minimum-access/

Trump's Battle vs. Fed Powell

President Trump has increased his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling for immediate interest rate cuts but stating he has “no intention” of firing Powell. Legally, it’s highly uncertain whether Trump could actually remove Powell from office. The Federal Reserve Act allows a president to remove Fed board members only “for cause,” which is generally understood to mean serious misconduct, not policy disagreements. There’s no clear legal precedent for firing a Fed chair over differences in economic policy, and such a move would almost certainly trigger a lengthy court battle, possibly reaching the Supreme Court. Powell and most legal experts maintain that the Fed’s independence is a crucial safeguard for the economy, and undermining it could destabilize financial markets.

If the Fed were to cut interest rates as Trump wants, borrowing would become cheaper for consumers and businesses, encouraging spending on homes, cars, and investments. This could help boost economic growth and support jobs. However, lower rates also mean savers earn less interest, and if the economy is already facing inflation risks, rate cuts could make price increases worse. Trump’s new tariffs complicate the picture even further: tariffs raise the cost of imported goods, pushing up inflation while also potentially slowing economic growth. This puts the Fed in a tough spot, forced to balance the risk of higher inflation from tariffs against the need to support the economy, making decisions about rate cuts even more difficult and politically charged.

Read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/us/politics/trump-jerome-powell-fed.html

Tesla Tumbles as Musk Returns

    During a Tesla earnings call on April 22nd Elon Musk made it clear that once May arrives he will be taking a step back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk told investors that his goal is to be "doing DOGE things" only 1-2 days a week. He will be stepping back from his highly controversial role in the administration to focus back on his own business ventures, such as Tesla, which has seen massive hits to their profits and sales ever since President Trump came into office. 

    Many are saying that his role in DOGE is a large reason that Tesla has not been so successful, Musk made clear that regardless of how his business is doing people need to look into the far future. While Tesla is less prone to tariffs when compared to their automotive competitors due to having lots of factories in the United States they are still struggling. In April, Tesla reported that it had suffered the largest drop in sales in their history delivering 50,000 fewer vehicles in Q1 of 2025 than Q1 of 2024. This is also being seen in Tesla stock. After election day their stock nearly doubled, reaching an all time high in December, with investors believing in the Trump administration possibly implementing Tesla-friendly policies. At this point, Tesla stock (TSLA) has fallen nearly 50% from that high as of April 23rd. 

    This negative performance by Tesla does not seem to have much to do with their actual operations, but instead the man who is behind it all. There have been numerous protests being directed in both Trump and Musk's way that are completely against everything they have done so far. Many people are starting to not buy Tesla's products due to Musk being the face of the company. It will be interesting to see how this will impact Tesla's long-term gains and whether these losses will keep happening with the role Musk has played in DOGE so far.

Link to Article: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/business/tesla-reports-disappoint-drop-in-revenue-and-profits/index.html 

Vietnam at a Crossroads: Responding to the 2025 U.S. Tariff Shock with Strategic Resilience

Trade wars have become an important way to change global business. The U.S.-China tariff disputes are now affecting Vietnam, with a 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports. This move, meant to fix trade imbalances, is a big challenge for Vietnam’s economy, which relies on exports. However, this tariff shock also offers a chance for Vietnam to rethink its strategy.

The 46% tariff targets sectors that make up more than 80% of Vietnam’s exports to the U.S., including electronics, textiles, footwear, furniture, and agriculture. Vietnam’s $70.5 billion in electronics exports face higher costs, which could hurt investment and jobs. The $46.2 billion textiles and footwear sectors could see factory closures and job losses, especially for low-income workers and women. As the top exporter of wood furniture, the $28.3 billion furniture industry may face disruptions. Agricultural exports, like coffee and cashews worth $8.5 billion, could become less competitive in the U.S.

Instead of retaliating, Vietnam has taken a calm approach, focusing on legal methods and working with other countries. Decree 73/2025/NĐ-CP was introduced to improve trade by lowering import taxes on U.S. goods, showing Vietnam’s commitment to fair trade. The country is also using trade agreements like CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP, focusing on cooperation instead of conflict.

Vietnam now has two paths to choose from: defending its market share in the competitive U.S. market (Red Ocean) or creating new, high-value industries (Blue Ocean). In the Red Ocean, Vietnam is negotiating for tariff relief, offering tax cuts to exporters, and trying to protect its current markets. In the Blue Ocean, it’s working to upgrade its manufacturing, focusing on high-value sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy, and digital technology.

The 2025 U.S. tariff shock is more than just a trade issue—it’s a key moment for Vietnam’s economy. While the country has grown by relying on exports, this challenge provides an opportunity to diversify and become less dependent on global market changes. By using both defensive and innovative strategies, Vietnam can handle the situation and come out stronger, becoming a leader in the global economy.

https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/04/15/vietnam-at-a-crossroads-responding-to-the-2025-u-s-tariff-shock-with-strategic-resilience/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Amidst the promises from the Trump administration to commence legal, financial and political attacks on academic institutions of all levels, schools in the Big 10 decided they needed to take proactive measures. The faculty senate at Rutgers University in New Jersey began the initiative and since all 18 schools have joined. The alliance serves as an agreement for all the schools to band together if President Trump were to single out any of the institutions in any manner. Schools are set to provide legal counsel, public affair officials, and create a fund that will be used to provide "immediate and strategic support" (Rutgers Official). 

Trump's War on Regulations

 The Trump administration seems hellbent on de-regulating as much as possible. Some of the regulations that he wants to roll back are ones that help his voter base. An example of this would be eliminating regulations that protect coal miners heath from the dangerous fumes that they are exposed to daily. Despite constant warnings from health officials and academics, the Trump administration continues to move forward. We have learned in class that government regulation is used in capitalism to help address market failures. Seeing such a basic misunderstanding of economics at the highest level of government is incredibly disappointing. 

Source:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qaJo7iX8ItPmay52k7w1lf-c2WhygHv6/view

Deportations Down in Texas: What the Supreme Court is Doing About It

 This Saturday the Supreme Court blocked any deportations of any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an18th century wartime law. They decided to direct the Trump administration not to remove anyone held in the detention center until further notice. The high court decided to act in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union because it appeared that immigration authorities were moving to restart removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. They had said earlier that deportations could proceed only if those about to be removed had a chance to argue their case in court and were also given enough time to contest their pending removal. Lawyer, Lee Gelernt, was relieved that this act was temporarily blocked saying that these individuals were in imminent danger of spending the rest of their lives in a brutal Salvadoran prison without having had any due process. After two federal judges refused to step in as lawyers for the men, a desperate legal campaign was launched to prevent their deportation. Additionally, the ACLU has already sued to block deportations of two Venezuelans held in the Bluebonnet facility and sought an order which demands removal of any immigrants in the region under the Alien Enemies Act.  This act has only been used three other times in U.S. history. World War II was the most recent which held Japanese-American civilians in internment camps. As the men were being accused of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang, the Trump's administration contended that the act gave them power to swiftly remove immigrants they identified as members of the gang. Reading about this situation, is a little confusing because there are so many sides and each one has their own reasons as to why they think they are right. I think it will be interesting to see how it is handled, and especially how this will set the tone for the next four years in regard to immigration and boarder control.

For more information on the Subject go to: Supreme Courts blocks, for now, new deportations under Alien Enemies Act

Global trade outlook has ‘deteriorated sharply’ amid Trump tariff uncertainty, WTO warns

    WTO has sharply downgraded its global trade outlook for 2025, now projecting a 0.2% decline in merchandise trade instead of the previously forecasted 2.7% growth. This deterioration is largely attributed to escalating U.S. tariffs under President Trump and intensifying trade tensions with China, which could lead to an 81% drop in bilateral trade between the two nations. The WTO warns that this decoupling risks fragmenting the global economy into rival blocs, potentially reducing global GDP by up to 7% in the long term. Smaller and emerging economies, which rely heavily on international trade, are expected to be the most affected.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/global-trade-outlook-for-2025-has-deteriorated-sharply-wto-warns.html

Unions Form Pro Bono Legal Network for Federal Workers Targeted by Trump

 A.F.L.-C.I.O. and other unions and civil rights groups have launched a pro bono legal network to help federal employees whose jobs have been lost or threatened under the Trump administration. This initiative comes in response to the Trump administration's reduction of the federal workforce, mass firing, and budget cuts.  Currently, 1000 lawyers from 42 states have trained to provide legal services to federal workers facing job loss or threats of such job loss. This initiative aims to help employees regardless of union member status, to help protect their rights through the agencies they work for and administrative boards. Although lawsuit results have been mixed results the network plans to provide legal support to help navigate through administrative boards and courts. Overall, the network is focused on ensuring the rule of law is upheld while offering support to others affected by job insecurity.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/business/economy/federal-workers-trump-network-unions.html

Tariffs will hit US economy and raise prices, Fed boss warns

 Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77ndzy0m2vo

Jerome Powell, the chair of the federal reserve made a statement on US tariff policies. Different news organizations have had their spins on the speech. Some calling it aggressive and others saying it wasn’t aggressive enough. 

Powell made statements on the import taxes recently announced by President Trump and stated that they were larger than expected. Surveys indicated a sharp decline in confidence among consumers coming off the heels of a global stock market turmoil. 

Powell warned that these tariffs will lead to higher inflation and slower growth–both are effects our in class economic theories and discussion have led us to. All in all, it seems that effects are still highly uncertain but that the US economy remains in a solid position. And in true Powell fashion he said that the Fed will be waiting patiently before making any adjustments to rates. 

In terms of how the President’s decision making power is related to the Federal Reserve, it is interesting seeing the independent dynamics play out. The Fed is an independent central bank whose decisions do not have to be approved by the president and the President has power over the Fed in terms of who they appoint to the Federal Reserve Board, subject to confirmation by the Senate. I am curious how potential political powers could affect the economic landscape moving forward and if there will be any “shows of force” that have seemed to be popular in these early months. 

Inflation Anxiety and Job Market Fears Amid Trade War

 According to a survey conducted by the New York Federal Reserve, American consumers are growing increasingly uneasy about inflation, unemployment, and the stock market as global trade tensions increase. The survey found that 44% of respondents now expect the unemployment rate to be higher one year from now which would be the highest percentage since early COVID-19. Inflation expectations for next year also jumped to 3.6%, the highest level since October 2023. Market confidence has also taken a hit as well. Only 33.8% of respondents expect stocks to be higher in one year from now. Expectations for cost of food, rent, and medical care also continue to climb, demonstrating the expansive impact that tariffs have on the economy. 

The survey's results show the broader economic fragility that is being shaped by the ongoing trade war. While market-based inflation remains relatively contained, public perception tells a different story. Consumers may begin to cut back on spending if they anticipate worsening economic conditions. With President Trump's tariff announcements continuing to add fuel to the unstable environment, consumer and business confidence are extremely fragile.

Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/14/unemployment-fears-hit-worst-levels-since-covid-fed-survey-shows.html

China’s first-quarter GDP tops estimates at 5.4% as growth momentum continues amid tariff worries

 China's economy grew by 5.4% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations. This growth was driven by strong industrial production, infrastructure investment, and a surge in exports ahead of newly imposed U.S. tariffs. However, escalating trade tensions, including U.S. tariffs reaching up to 145% and China's retaliatory tariffs of 125%, are expected to slow China's economic growth in the coming quarters. Analysts have downgraded China's full-year growth forecasts, with UBS projecting a decline to 3.4%, citing significant challenges to exports and overall economic stability. In response, Beijing is implementing stimulus measures, such as infrastructure spending and consumer incentives, to bolster domestic demand amidst a prolonged property slump and weak consumer confidence.

​https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/chinas-first-quarter-gdp-growth-at-as-trade-war-heats-up.html

Inflation rate eases to 2.4% in March, lower than expected; core at 4-year low

    Inflation remained subdued thanks to falling energy prices, with gasoline dropping by 6.3 and the overall energy index declining by 2.4. Food prices rose by 4 for the month, with eggs surging 5.9 and up 60.4 year-over-year. Shelter prices, a persistent inflation driver, increased by just 0.2 in March and increased by 4 over the past year. Furthermore, despite the cooling inflation, stock futures pointed to a sharp drop at market opening, and Treasury yields declined. Although Trump campaigned to curb inflation, progress was limited in early 2025. Donald Trump has urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but Fed officials remain cautious due to ongoing policy uncertainty, with markets expecting a rate cut no earlier than June. The CPI came in softer than expected, which typically signals cooling inflation. Kay Haigh emphasizes that the CPI data may be backward-looking, particularly in light of recent changes in trade policy, which means that he is likely referring to new or increased tariffs. In addition, tariffs can lead to cost-push inflation, where higher import prices trickle down to consumer prices. Despite these trade policy concerns, futures markets didn’t budge much. Finally, this suggests that traders are still betting that inflation will stay contained or that the Fed will prioritize stimulus to support growth. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/10/inflation-rate-eases-to-2point4percent-in-march-lower-than-expected.html

 

Harvard has $2.2 billion in grants frozen by Trump
administration after rejecting demands

In this article, the Trump administration announces it is freezing $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University. The stated reason centers on concerns about antisemitism on campus and frustration with Harvard’s refusal to comply with new federal requirements. Those requirements include eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and screening international students for ideological stances such as support for terrorism or antisemitism. Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, rejects these demands as unconstitutional, insisting that the government has no right to dictate how a private university manages its admissions, hires faculty, or structures academic programs.

In response, the General Services Administration and Department of Education confirm that they will suspend billions of dollars in grants and contracts. They cite Harvard’s alleged failure to protect Jewish students as part of their rationale. However, Harvard emphasizes that the federal support it has received over nearly a century has led to countless breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, and science work that could be compromised by the funding freeze. While the university says it remains willing to discuss its ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, it refuses to agree to demands that it views as beyond the government’s lawful authority. Meanwhile, the White House warns that any institution violating federal civil rights laws or refusing to meet similar directives risks losing taxpayer funding an approach it has also taken with Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern.

link

Apple regains $3 trillion market cap after Trump exempts tariffs on iPhones

Apples shares rose more than 2% on Monday and pushed the company's market cap back above three trillion. Trump exempted tariffs on phones, computers, and chips which would clearly increase Apple's value. Trumps purpose of doing this was solely because the majority of these project are manufactured in China and other Asian countries. The exemptions on these imports is going to save Apple billions in costs. Trump wants to help Apple because they are the most valued publicly trading company in the U.S. and experienced an 11% drop in the 1st quarter of 2023. However, it seems a little unfair towards the rest of the market. It feels like favoritism and undermining the principle of a level playing field. I hope to see iPhone costs go down.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/14/apple-regains-3-trillion-market-cap-after-trump-exempts-iphone-tariff.html

Harvard Refuses to Comply with the Trump Administration

 

    The Trump administration has been demanding that Harvard must overhault its admissions, hiring, and diversity policies which potentially could lost the university nine billion in federal funding. The Trump administration since the beginning of the year has made extensive efforts to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in addition to reporting foreign students that are found in violation of campus rules. Harvard president claims the Trump administrations demands as “unlawful” and infringes on the universities constitutional rights. Harvard's defiance has gathered support from the academic community and will hopefully led for the administration to face legal challenges for their actions.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/us/harvard-trump-reject-demands.html

Americans Fear Sharp Rise in Unemployment Amid Tariff Uncertainty

     Unemployment concerns are rising sharply among American workers, with a recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showing that the average expectation for a higher U.S. unemployment rate one year from now jumped to 44 percent in March. This marks the highest level since April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The perceived likelihood of becoming unemployed in the next 12 months also increased to 15.7 percent, with the sharpest rise among households earning less than $50,000 annually. Meanwhile, the average probability of voluntarily leaving one’s job rose only slightly to 18 percent, suggesting increased job insecurity and caution about switching roles in an uncertain economy.

    These rising concerns come despite recent labor market strength, as the March jobs report showed an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent and 228,000 new jobs added. However, the Federal Reserve and some Wall Street economists expect conditions to weaken over the coming years. The Fed raised its unemployment forecast for 2025 to 4.4 percent, and JPMorgan’s Michael Feroli projects a rate as high as 5.2 percent. Inflation expectations are also climbing, with the NY Fed survey showing a rise in the year-ahead inflation outlook to 3.6 percent. While recent data indicated a temporary slowdown in inflation, economists warn that newly enacted tariffs, particularly those targeting China, could soon reverse that trend and contribute to a period of stagflation—slowing growth, persistent inflation, and rising unemployment that continues to weigh heavily on consumer and investor sentiment.

source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-braced-for-biggest-unemployment-rate-jump-since-the-pandemic-as-tariffs-muddy-outlook-150803197.html

Stock futures rise after a wild week as traders weigh surprise China tariff exemption: Live updates

    Stocks increased this Sunday following President Trump's recent tariff announcements. The decision to exempt smartphones, computers, and semiconductors from new reciprocal tariffs provided temporary relief to tech firms, although uncertainty remains due to suggestions from the administration that these exemptions could change. Tariffs bouncing back and forth create market anxiety around trade policy and its potential economic impact. You never know what will happen randomly and how much you have to chance your operating systems just to get the tariff changed back. Looking forward, the stability of the U.S. market hinges on developments in trade negotiations, particularly between the U.S. and China, and continued Federal Reserve responses to changes.

Stock market today: Live updates

American shoppers hit with tariff surcharge on receipts and feeling the impact of trade war

 On their receipts, many American shoppers are already noticing new taxes that are referred to as "tariff surcharges." Businesses are attempting to offset the high import duties, specifically the 145% charge on Chinese goods, which is why this is taking place. While some businesses charge a percentage of purchases, others are imposing straight up flat fees. The CEO of Amazon also stated that in order to cover these additional charges, third party vendors will now probably be increasing their prices. Products ranging from cars parts even down to clothes are being severely impacted by this. In my opinion this just goes to show  how bad trade policies will be impacting the general public. The fact that so many households are already experiencing the burden of inflation only proves to me that these policies are having more negative short term effects than positive ones. https://nypost.com/2025/04/13/business/american-consumers-hit-with-tariff-surcharges-amid-trade-war/

Trump Administration Adds to Tariff Uncertainty

More confusion has been added to the Trump Administration’s tariff plans, as exemptions to items such as smartphones, computers, and semiconductors have been called into question by President Trump and his advisors. It was suggested that the exemptions would be partially or completely reversed in the coming weeks. In a social media post, President Trump wrote that there are no tariff exemptions, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the exemptions were temporary. This comes as the exemptions were revealed in technical guidance issued on Friday by US Customs and Border Protection and were confirmed by the White House. These statements are simply and more uncertainty to a tense economic situation. It will be interesting to see how the markets respond. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/13/trump-commerce-chief-says-not-like-a-permanent-sort-of-exemption-for-phones-computers.html

The Master Plan for Cities Around Augusta

 With the Master's Tournament finishing up this Sunday, you can see how much wealth is attracted to Augusta, Georgia, every year. Whether it be the tickets that are thousands of dollars, or the cheap concessions when you get in the gates of Augusta National, the whole tournament is a marketing and economic masterpiece.

Cities surrounding Augusta have said the tournament's economic impact is around $1 million annually. Patrons stay even a few hours away from the course during the event, leading to a boost in local economies all over the state of Georgia. It leads to an opportunity for these other cities to show off what they have to offer as well.

Even venturing out of the state, all the way to Greenwood, South Carolina notices the impacts. They host golf-themed events and ensure all the golf apparel and equipment is stocked up, as they find that is what most attendees of the event are looking for.

Masters Tournament makes great impact on Upstate city

China’s Rare Earth Restrictions

China's recent decision to restrict exports of seven rare earth elements to the United States in response to the U.S. tariffs is more than just a trade retaliation—it poses a direct threat to critical sectors of the U.S. economy. The metals in question, including dysprosium and terbium, are essential for producing electric vehicles, wind turbines, AI chips, medical devices, and advanced military systems. With China's near-total control over the mining and processing of these "heavy" rare earths, they hold significant leverage over global supply chains, making the implications for the U.S. particularly serious.

In the short term, these export restrictions are likely to drive up prices for manufacturers and create significant strain within supply chains. U.S. companies may struggle to source the rare earth minerals they need, leading to increased costs across the clean energy, defense, and technology sectors. This disruption could delay projects, squeeze profit margins, and raise consumer prices—placing additional pressure on an already inflation-sensitive economy. The clean energy transition may also be slowed, as production of wind turbines and electric vehicles faces material shortages. Although long-term contracts and existing stockpiles offer the defense sector some protection, prolonged restrictions could still present major challenges.

Looking ahead, the situation highlights the urgent need for the U.S. to build industrial self-sufficiency. Currently, the country has only one operational rare earth mine and limited processing capabilities. While efforts are underway to expand domestic mining and develop refining infrastructure, experts estimate it could take three to five years to establish a fully integrated “mine-to-magnet” supply chain. Until then, the U.S. remains economically vulnerable—underscoring the broader risks of relying on geopolitical rivals for critical resources.

Source:https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/04/10/china-has-a-weapon-that-could-hurt-america-rare-earth-exports

Trump’s triple-digit tariff essentially cuts off most trade with China, says economist

 The tariff scares have continued to boil under the Trump administration. Now, they are threatening a 145% Tariff on all goods from China. This would make it so that essentially no trade can be done with China. Certain companies may find substitutes or ways around it. While he raised the tariffs for China, he decreased them to 10% for most other countries for 90 days. This makes the average tariff rate higher than it has been since the 1940s. Economists believe that it is sending us in a very poor direction as an economy. The estimated federal tax this year would be $171.6 billion, which is higher than it has been since 1993. On Thursday, China put a retaliatory tariff on our goods to 84% from 34%. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/10/trumps-triple-digit-tariff-essentially-cuts-off-most-trade-with-china-says-economist.html

UnitedHealth is making struggling doctors repay loans issued after last year’s cyberattack

 After a major cyberattack on Change Healthcare in 2024, UnitedHealth gave no-interest loans to doctors to help with lost income. Now, the company is demanding fast repayment, as high as $750,000, within five days, despite earlier promises that repayment would start only when practices said their finances had recovered. Over $4.5 billion of the $9 billion loaned has already been repaid. UnitedHealth is now withholding insurance payments from some doctors to collect the rest.

Doctors like Dr. Christine Meyer and Dr. Purvi Parikh say they’re still struggling and can’t repay right away. Some lost over $1 million during the disruption. The American Medical Association is urging UnitedHealth not to force a one-size-fits-all repayment plan. Meanwhile, confusion continues as doctors report billing mistakes, missed notices, and financial pressure. Should doctors decide when to repay, or is UnitedHealth right to collect now?

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/unitedhealth-makes-doctors-repay-loans-issued-after-change-cyberattack.html

Small Factories in China Struggle Under Tariffs

 Small factories in China, around Guangzhou, are struggling as U.S. tariffs under President Trump goes to 125%. These small export-driven factories have been key to China's economic rise but now face canceled orders and shrinking profits. Many garment factories are shutting down temporarily to try to find new markets.  They also are focusing on China’s already saturated and discount-heavy domestic market. Some machinery producers like Elon Li are faring better due to lack of global competition and China's low production costs. Despite these challenges, factory managers still express confidence in China's long-term strength.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/business/economy/guangzhou-china-exports-tariffs.html  

The oil-rich Gulf states are better-positioned to weather the tariff storm — but crashing crude prices could spell trouble

 The CNBC article discusses the complex impact of recent U.S. tariffs on oil-rich Gulf states. While these tariffs have introduced economic challenges, such as declines in stock markets and oil prices, they also present opportunities for these nations to reassess and strengthen their economic strategies. For instance, Saudi Arabia is leveraging the situation to enforce discipline within OPEC+ and bolster its market position. However, the broader economic strain from the tariffs and fluctuating oil prices underscores the need for Gulf states to diversify their economies and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/09/oil-rich-gulf-states-face-both-advantages-and-trouble-as-tariffs-hit.html

Tariffs Shake Up Markets

The U.S. stock market has been very volatile over the past week, largely driven by uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff policies. The markets have swung wildly, with sharp losses followed by dramatic rallies. This has reflected investors’ struggle to interpret the administration’s changing stance on trade. Earlier in the week, the S&P 500 dropped into bear market territory, falling over 10% in two days. The was its steepest decline since the pandemic in 2020. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed more than 4,000 points since last Wednesday, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 each fell over 11% during the same period.

On Monday, speculation about a potential delay in tariffs lifted markets temporarily, but gains were erased when the White House dismissed these rumors as “fake news.” Investors were further rattled by Trump’s suggestion of an additional 50% tariff on China, leading to same day swings of over 6%, a level of volatility rarely seen outside major crises like the 2008 financial meltdown.

Relief came on Wednesday April 9th when Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, excluding China. This triggered a historic rally, the Dow surged over 2,300 points (7%), marking its biggest single-day gain in five years. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also rebounded sharply by more than 7% and 8%, respectively. However, even with these gains, major indices remain significantly below their recent highs. The S&P 500 is still down 12% from February, while the Nasdaq is 18% below its December peak.

This week’s turbulence shows how sensitive U.S. markets are to trade policy shifts. Investors have been hit with conflicting signals. Initial fears of broad tariffs caused panic selling and then hopes of negotiation or delays fueled temporary recoveries. Analysts warn that continued volatility could undermine economic growth as inflation fears and recession risks grow. Despite Wednesday’s rally, uncertainty persists due to escalating tariffs on Chinese imports and unresolved trade tensions.

Read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/business/trump-tariffs-stock-markets.html

Trump Announces 90-Day Tariff "Pause" and Harder Hit to China

    Midday Wednesday, President Trump announced that a 90-day tariff "pause" will occur due to the fact that according to the president over 75 countries have already reached out in terms of negotiation regarding the tariffs. This pause means that during the next 90 days a universal rate will be set for all countries that have tariffs set on them, except for China. The universal rate will be 10%, the White House announced. Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, took to X to say "the world is ready to work with President Trump to fix global trade". 

    On the complete opposite side of this, President Trump announced at the same time that the United States once again will increase their tariff rates on China. The newly announced number appears to be a 125% tariff rate. This is likely due to the fact that overnight China raised their tariff rate on the U.S. to 84%. It certainly looks as if we have a trade war on our hands, it will be very interesting to see how far this will go and what the result will be. 

    After the tariff draw back was announced almost all major stock indexes appear to have shot up from where they have been since the tariffs actually went into place. The Dow has surged 2,600 points, making that the largest rally in 5 years. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that this move by President Trump "was his strategy all along". At this point I do not think that many people at all know what is going on or what direction we are heading. All that we know for sure is that trade relations between the U.S. and China are not improving with the two world-powers butting heads more and more.

Article: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/09/trump-announces-90-day-tariff-pause-for-at-least-some-countries.html 

U.S. - China Trade War: New Developments

China has made a bold move by raising tariffs on U.S. goods from 34% to a staggering 84%, effective April 10th. This action is in response to the Trump administration's latest increase on Chinese imports, which soared above 100% overnight. The ongoing standoff between the world's two largest economies has already rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly 20% from its recent peak. Even countries such as Japan which have suggested a willingness to negotiate are keeping a close eye on the escalating trade tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent maintains that these measures will ultimately backfire on Beijing, calling the tariff war "a loser" for China. Undoubtedly, the stakes have never been higher for both the U.S. and China.

Tariffs are meant to protect domestic industries, but in a globalized world, they often bring about ripple effects that can hurt both businesses and consumers in unpredictable ways. Prices can rise, manufacturing supply chains can get disrupted, and economic uncertainty can send investors into a panic. It is clear that both the U.S. and China want to come out on top, yet neither side seems eager to compromise or yield first. Cooperation and diplomacy could do more to stabilize the situation. In the weeks ahead, the real question is whether economic necessity will force a compromise before more damage is done. 

Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/09/china-slaps-retaliatory-tariffs-of-84percent-on-us-goods-in-response-to-trump.html

China Imposes Retaliatory Tariff on United States

On Friday, China’s Finance Ministry announced a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the United States beginning on April 10th. China is yearning President Trump to extinguish the announced tariff on China, and to resolve all trade differences in a mutually beneficial manner. China also believes that the tariffs are endangering global economic development and the stability of supply chains. Beijing has filed a complaint against the United States regarding the tariffs, claiming that it seriously violates world trade organization rules. Of course, President Trump has responded with a post on X, stating that China has got it all wrong, that they panicked, and that it is something they cannot afford to do. 

I find this move extremely ironic from China. We have heard for months the effects that tariffs will have on U.S imports, but never considered the potential retaliation that could be imposed. The United States relies heavily on a country like China, but how will the tariffs from both sides impact trade relationships and most importantly the supply of consumer goods from China?  I feel as if it will be extremely interesting to see how this affects China relations within the next coming months. Maybe this will incentivize Trump to extinguish all tariffs, but most likely not. 

Link : https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/china-to-impose-34percent-retaliatory-tariff-on-all-goods-imported-from-the-us.html 

Would Banning TikTok Hurt the U.S. Economy?

 As the U.S. government revisits the idea of banning TikTok over national security concerns, it’s important to consider the broader economic consequences. While the debate has largely focused on data privacy and Chinese ownership, the platform also plays a significant role in the American digital economy.

According to Forbes, small businesses and creators in the U.S. generate an estimated $1.3 billion every month through TikTok, using it to promote products, attract customers, and earn income through partnerships and monetized content. For many entrepreneurs, especially those without large marketing budgets, TikTok provides a unique opportunity to reach wide audiences organically.

A ban could disproportionately hurt these smaller players, forcing them to rely on more expensive and less effective advertising platforms. It could also weaken the creator economy, a fast-growing sector where influencers, educators, and artists turn digital engagement into real income.

Beyond direct revenue loss, there’s a larger concern: the message a ban sends to foreign businesses. If a platform with over 150 million U.S. users can be removed by a political decision, it may deter future investment in American tech markets. That could stifle innovation and reduce competitive pressure on domestic platforms.

Of course, national security must be taken seriously. However, the economic impact of removing such a deeply integrated platform from the digital ecosystem shouldn’t be underestimated. The question is whether the security risks justify the economic fallout.

Should we protect personal data by banning TikTok or regulate it more transparently while preserving its economic value? The decision will shape the future of digital commerce and international tech policy.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/shirajjeczmien/2025/01/13/tiktok-on-the-brink-the-economic-and-cultural-cost-of-a-us-ban/