US Commerce Dept. is in the news for easing chip export restrictions to China and launching a $12B minerals reserve to challenge China’s tech dominance.
Recent US employment data indicates a slowdown in job growth, with February's payrolls declining by 92,000 and the unemployment rate rising to 4.4%. The job market remains fragile amid global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, with revisions to previous months' data highlighting ongoing volatility.
US GDP growth slowed sharply in Q4 2025, dropping to 1.9%, with consumer spending and government investment declining. The trade balance turned positive, but the job market weakened, raising concerns about economic resilience amid geopolitical tensions and policy impacts.
Prices have climbed at the fastest pace in nearly three years, driven by a 21% March spike in gasoline costs amid the Iran conflict. GDP growth is steady, while consumer spending and business investment show divergent signals; the central banks face a policy dilemma as inflation pressures mount.