Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Beijing swipes back at Washington over trade, student visa restrictions
China on Monday accused the U.S. of violating the agreement both countries reached in Geneva to de-escalate trade tensions, the latest sign of friction between the world's two largest economies. Published June 2, 2025
Auto tariffs spur U.S. investments, force tough choices on prices for carmakers
President Trump's tariffs on foreign-made cars and auto parts are only weeks old, but they're sending shockwaves through the global marketplace, as automakers shift production to the U.S. or look to alternate markets to avoid America's levies. Published May 26, 2025
Trump announces U.S. Steel-Nippon merger, keeps company based in Pa.
President Trump says U.S. Steel and the Japanese firm Nippon Steel will enter a "planned partnership" that will keep the iconic American company based in Pennsylvania. Published May 23, 2025
Trump threatens 25% levy on Apple iPhones made outside the U.S.
President Trump is threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones made outside the U.S., saying he warned the major U.S. tech company to onshore production instead of shifting it around overseas. Published May 23, 2025
Trading mixed on Wall Street as ‘big, beautiful bill’ competes with bond-market worries
The business community is celebrating President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" but there is an undercurrent of angst over higher bond yields because debt is growing, which helped spark a market sell-off this week. Published May 22, 2025
Wall Street sees mixed trading as ‘big, beautiful bill’ competes with bond market worries
Business leaders are cheering efforts to advance President Trump's tax cuts, but Wall Street is tempering celebrations. Published May 22, 2025
Target says it can adapt and offset tariff costs, is reducing reliance on China
Target Corp. said Wednesday it can "offset the vast majority" of impacts from President Trump's tariffs, as major retailers report earnings and outline plans for navigating an uncertain trade environment. Published May 21, 2025
Home Depot CFO says tariffs won’t spur price increases
Home Depot said Tuesday it does not plan to raise prices because of President Trump's tariffs, though it may have to remove some products because of the levies. Published May 20, 2025
Wall Street faced an uneven day Monday as investors reacted negatively to the U.S. government’s cred
Wall Street faced an uneven day Monday as investors reacted negatively to the U.S. government's credit downgrade and a spike in Treasury yields before recovering in late-day trading. Published May 19, 2025
Steel industry urges Trump to keep tariff pedal to the metal after early uptick in output, jobs
The steel industry is pleading with President Trump to stand pat on his decision to impose tariffs on key metal imports, saying the no-exceptions move shows promise and must be kept in place while other parts of his trade agenda change by the day. Published May 16, 2025
Trump says U.S. will assign tariff amounts in two to three weeks
President Trump says trade officials will dispatch letters to countries assigning them a tariff amount because it would be impossible to meet with "150 countries" that want to negotiate a deal. Published May 16, 2025
Walmart says tariffs too high to absorb, will spur rising prices
A top Walmart executive said Thursday that tariffs are "still too high" and consumers might see higher costs by the end of May at the retailer known for everyday low prices. Published May 15, 2025
Fentanyl is ‘U.S.’s problem,’ China says, underscoring ongoing tariff tension
The trade truce between the U.S. and China took effect on Wednesday, but tensions remain over fentanyl, with Beijing insisting the drug crisis remains "[America's] problem, not China's." Published May 14, 2025
Inflation was steady in April, meaning no sign of tariff shock yet
Consumer prices rose in April but not as badly as expected, according to a federal inflation report Tuesday that shows President Trump's tariffs have not taken a major toll on prices so far. Published May 13, 2025
Trump expects China to strike wider trade pact, says ‘they want it very badly’
President Trump said Monday that he expects China to "follow through" and agree to a full trade deal that opens its markets to U.S. producers during a negotiated pause in sky-high tariffs. Published May 12, 2025
Global markets rally after U.S. and China cool trade tensions; Dow jumps more than 1,000 points
Global stocks surged Monday after the U.S. and China agreed to de-escalate tariffs that had effectively frozen trade between the world's largest economies. Published May 12, 2025
New normal: Trump committed to a 10% tariff baseline for all nations
The White House says President Trump is "determined" to maintain at least a 10% tariff on all imports, meaning all nations should expect a baseline tax on their goods even if they negotiate trade pacts. Published May 9, 2025
Trump floats 80% tariff on China
President Trump says an 80% tariff "seems right," setting a potential guidepost ahead of weekend talks in Switzerland between the U.S. and Chinese sides. Published May 9, 2025
Trump praises U.K. trade deal that opens British market to farm products, other goods
President Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. had struck a trade deal that will open the British market to plenty of American farm products, chemicals and machinery, a major development in the White House's attempt to rebalance global trade, even if bigger challenges lie ahead. Published May 8, 2025
Trump says U.K. is first trade deal under his tariff plan
President Trump said Thursday the U.S. struck a trade deal with the U.K. that would "cement" the countries' relationship for years to come. Published May 8, 2025
