Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Treasury Secretary Bessent says U.S. is nearing a final trade deal with South Korea
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday the U.S. is getting close to finishing its trade deal with South Korea. Published October 15, 2025
Trump says China’s boycott of soybeans is an ‘economically hostile act’
President Trump said Tuesday that China's refusal to buy soybeans from U.S. growers is a "hostile act" and he is considering payback, such as a ban on cooking oil imports from the Asian superpower. Published October 14, 2025
U.S. stocks rebound after Trump says U.S.-China situation will be ‘fine’
U.S. stocks rallied on Monday as the Trump administration said it was still talking to Beijing despite a new rupture in trade tensions. Published October 13, 2025
Trump heaps 100% tariff on Chinese goods as payback for Beijing’s restrictions on rare earths
President Trump says he will impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports in response to Beijing's move to restrict rare earths and other exports, as a trade war between the world's largest economies flared anew. Published October 10, 2025
Trump unloads on China over rare earth limits, says he might not meet Xi at APEC summit
President Trump says he might call off his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, citing Beijing's "surprise" and "hostile" moves to restrict exports of rare earths and maintain its monopoly. Published October 10, 2025
Consumer sentiment breaks even, with no sign of major shutdown angst
Consumer sentiment remains steady in October, with Americans feeling skittish about high prices and poor job prospects but showing no signs of panic over the government shutdown, according to a key index. Published October 10, 2025
GOP senators urge FDA to reconsider approval of generic abortion pill
Nearly every GOP senator on Thursday urged the Food and Drug Administration to revisit its decision to approve a new generic form of the abortion pill mifepristone. Published October 9, 2025
Ag Secretary Rollins says farmer aid package will land once government reopens
The Trump administration pledged to send relief to farmers who are struggling with low crop prices and high costs once the government shutdown ends. Published October 9, 2025
Going for gold: Economic uncertainty, other factors fuel price of precious metal to record highs
Gold prices surged to a record high of more than $4,000 an ounce on Wednesday. Published October 8, 2025
Trump, Carney sit down in pursuit of ‘the right deal’ on trade
President Trump said Tuesday his relationship with Canada and its prime minister, Mark Carney, had "come a long way" as the pair tried to navigate conflicts around tariffs and which nation dominates the steel and car industries. Published October 7, 2025
Trump, Lula try to move beyond trade spat, share a friendly phone chat
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday he asked President Trump to remove hefty tariffs on his nation's products as the leaders tried to move beyond a summertime trade fight. Published October 6, 2025
U.S. alcohol exports fell drastically due to trade tensions, a distillers lobby says
Exports of U.S. distilled spirits fell markedly in the second quarter of 2025 compared to last year, a lobbying group said Monday in a report that sounded the alarm about trade tensions under President Trump. Published October 6, 2025
Rep. Wesley Hunt enters bitter GOP Senate primary in Texas, challenging Sen. John Cornyn
Rep. Wesley Hunt said Monday he will enter the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. Published October 6, 2025
White House says FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill is not an endorsement by administration
The White House says the Food and Drug Administration's approval of a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone should not be seen as an endorsement of the drug. Published October 3, 2025
Conservatives champion freight railroad merger, say it will fuel Trump’s America First agenda
Conservatives and free-market advocates are heartily backing a proposed merger between the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads, saying the blockbuster freight deal would fuel President Trump's bid for a "new industrial era." Published October 3, 2025
Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean goes viral with Trump claim: ‘He is unwell’
A Pennsylvania Democrat is insisting that President Trump is "unwell," pointing to his unusual speech before a gathering of military leaders. Published October 3, 2025
September jobs numbers? It’s a mystery; gov’t shutdown leads to economic data blackout
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is withholding the release of a vital monthly jobs report because of the government shutdown, making it difficult to discern the state of the economy and hiring environment. Published October 3, 2025
Treasury Secretary Bessent says shutdown could lower GDP, Democrat demands could fuel inflation
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday the government shutdown could deliver a "hit to working America" by lowering economic growth. Published October 2, 2025
Trump says China’s refusal to buy U.S. soybeans will top agenda in meeting with President Xi
President Trump said Wednesday he plans to take a "small portion" of tariff revenue and give it to farmers who are struggling because of foreign trade barriers, low crop prices and high costs of equipment and fertilizer. Published October 1, 2025
New corn growers’ leader calls for year-round ethanol fuel, more markets
The new president of a key corn growers' lobby on Wednesday urged the Trump administration to find new markets for U.S. agricultural products as farmers struggle with low crop prices, foreign trade barriers and high fertilizer and equipment costs. Published October 1, 2025
