Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
Sector-specific tariffs shielded from threat of reversal in court; Trump uses national security law
President Trump is leaning heavily into tariff powers that allow him to tax imported timber from Canada, furniture from Asia and heavy trucks from Germany without fearing a reversal from the Supreme Court. Published October 1, 2025
Wall Street weathers up-and-down day as investors assess government shutdown, economic data blackout
U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as investors feared a prolonged government shutdown would harm the economy -- and key data on its health. Published October 1, 2025
Sen. Ron Johnson pushes bill to end government shutdowns
A Republican senator is pushing legislation that would end government shutdowns, as President Trump and Democrats again slammed their heads against the wall Monday in pursuit of a last-minute deal to fund federal operations. Published September 29, 2025
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on foreign-made films
President Trump on Monday revived his threat to impose a 100% tariff on movies made outside the U.S., saying a once-iconic industry has been taken from Americans like "candy from a baby." Published September 29, 2025
South Korea says $350B cash payment for trade deal is not possible
The U.S. and South Korea are struggling to finalize a deal in which Seoul invests in American projects in exchange for a lower tariff rate from President Trump. Published September 29, 2025
Top drugmakers brush off pharma tariffs, saying they have robust U.S. footprint
Global drugmakers are greeting President Trump's decision to impose 100% tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals with a relative shrug, saying they can weather the new taxes because they've invested heavily in U.S. operations. Published September 26, 2025
Trump announces tariffs on drugs, trucks and cabinets
President Trump late Thursday announced a smorgasbord of new tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals, heavy trucks and kitchen and bathroom decor. Published September 25, 2025
