Tariffs Start to Drag on US economy as Trade Deficit Widens – Shobhana Chandra, aJOT

“The merchandise-trade deficit unexpectedly grew in August to $75.8 billion, the widest in six months, as exports of food, industrial supplies and autos declined, Commerce Department data showed Thursday. A separate report from the department showed corporate investment took a breather, with business equipment orders at U.S. factories falling in August following a run of strong gains, while shipments of those items slowed. . . . While economists say it may be too early to detect the exact impact from trade disputes, the data bear watching as the headwind and uncertainty look unlikely to dissipate. Thursday’s reports come after the U.S. and China imposed tariffs on each other in late August, which followed others implemented in early July. The U.S. added tariffs on another $200 billion of Chinese imports this week—the largest escalation of the trade war so far.”

Read more here: Tariffs Start to Drag on US economy as Trade Deficit Widens – Shobhana Chandra, American Journal of Transportation