Marketplace

Trump’s tariffs will touch the vast majority of industries, but apparel — clothes, shoes, accessories — will be particularly impacted. Around 98% of clothing sold in the U.S. is imported, primarily from China. In this episode, we look at how tariffs have complicated the apparel supply chain. In short? Even fast fashion may no longer be cheap. Plus: The services sector braces for tariff-induced stings, home sales rose in March and a community bank CEO talks handling uncertainty.

Verizon lost nearly 300,000 monthly phone subscribers in the first quarter. The telecom giant put partial blame on ongoing government layoffs. Verizon will bounce back, analysts say, but its bad news may be followed by similar corporate disclosures reflecting DOGE-driven funding cuts and an atmosphere of paring back. Later in this episode, the U.S. lags China in nuclear power expansion, economic instability hinders AI data center investment and Catholic nuns struggle to find affordable care as they age.

The scale and volatility of the trade war may be surprising, but tariffs aren’t new — unless you’re an aircraft manufacturer. (A trade agreement eliminated duties on commercial jets in 1980.) Last week, China told its airlines to reject Boeing deliveries, and since then at least two jets have been redirected to U.S. soil. Also in this episode: Student visa revocations could impede U.S. innovation in tech and science, home sellers are making concessions and consumers struggle with credit card debt.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: We’re in an unprecedented economic moment. But this time really is different. America’s place in the global economy is shifting, and what happens next is going to matter for businesses, consumers and you. This special Marketplace broadcast, hosted by Kai Ryssdal, is focused on helping you understand the scale and scope of the economic change in real time. Here’s what you’ll hear: Kai interviews experts about what happens when investors and businesses can’t plan, the relationship between tariffs and the return of manufacturing, and what we should think about employment going forward. On-the-ground stories from small businesses in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington state, California and Iowa. Reporting from Sabri Ben-Achour, Justin Ho and Kristin Schwab on global trade without the United States, recession forecasting, and the industry that may experience the most tariff pain. Listener questions about the bond market, tariff revenue, the role of the U.S. dollar, global confidence and much more. We count on you, our listeners, to help cover the cost of the reporting that you rely on. If you can, please donate to help keep Marketplace free and accessible for all.

Some relief seems to have arrived on the housing shortage front — listings are up 9% compared to last year. But buyers who’ve been waiting for more properties to go on the market? Not many are biting. In this episode, why the housing market flip-flopped and put sellers in a tough situation. Plus, why the theft of food benefits is common and how warming waters are affecting Maine’s shrimp industry.

First-time jobless claims have been pretty stable since the start of March — unlike many other parts of the economy. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and immigration restrictions may not be ideal for businesses, but they could give companies a reason to hold on to workers. Also in this episode: The European Central Bank cuts its key interest rate, get that EV tax credit while you can, and a martial arts master stays in Altadena, California, after losing her studio in the wildfires.

We’ve heard about people rushing to replace big-ticket essentials ahead of trade war-related price hikes, but what about stuff that’s more of a want than a need? In this episode: Tariff anxieties shape discretionary spending, giving consumers a way to feel some control in this chaotic economy. Plus: mixed signals from a manufacturing report, bitcoin’s chance at “digital gold,” and one of Altadena’s largest employers wants to rebuild and rehire longtime staff after the California wildfires.

For the first few years of the pandemic, businesses navigated a backed-up global supply chain that left some with excess inventory and others with no inventory at all. Tariffs may cause similar issues: Companies are stocking up on imports, and prices will likely rise. In this episode, business owners compare this economic moment to early-COVID supply snarls. Plus: Trade tensions are causing a drop in oil prices and stoking confusion in the steel industry. Also: The first installment of our series about how Altadena, California, businesses will rebuild after the devasting wildfire.

Fear of unemployment jumped 4.6 percentage points to 44% in March, according to a New York Fed survey. That’s the highest it’s been since April 2020. Expect the commercial real estate market to feel that same vibe. Companies concerned about a tariff-induced recession may make cuts or stick with Zoom instead of leasing new office space, experts told us. Also: Uncertainty is driving up junk bond yields, foreign investors may be pulling back on U.S. markets, and we talk to a small-business executive in “survival mode” over tariffs.

Just like some people fudge the numbers to lower their taxes, some companies do the same when paying tariffs on foreign goods. The federal government is mostly trusting that what’s in that shipping container is actually 100 bicycles, and not 500 bicycles. But erratic, rapidly changing trade policy is making it easier to evade tariffs, a customs broker told us. Also in this episode: Car insurance costs dip (but probably won’t stay down), a six-figure household income isn’t what it used to be, and the U.S. dollar takes a tumble.

Stocks aren’t the only assets in the financial markets that were beat up this week by President Trump’s tariffs. Bonds suffered too. After 3-year Treasury yields rose in the face of disappointing demand, bond investors are scrutinizing Treasury auctions for signs of further weakness. Also in this episode: Trump's anti-DEI push could hurt minority contractors, Atlanta Fed chief Raphael Bostic counsels caution and a millennial in Texas dreams of becoming a homeowner.

We’ve said it more than once lately: This economy is defined by uncertainty. And as President Trump makes aggressive, if erratic, moves on trade and federal funding, firms and organizations are taking action to protect their interests. In this episode, some universities issue bonds ahead of federal funding cuts and some companies retract their investor guidance for 2025. Plus: Tariffs can’t reshore every sector of manufacturing and we launch a series documenting the consumer economy, focused on the views and experiences of people.

The issuance of corporate bonds has slowed to a crawl, thanks to all that uncertainty in the economy. And without raising money in the bond market, firms may pull back on long-term investments. Also in this episode: The Democratic Republic of the Congo extends its ban on cobalt exports to raise prices, strains in the bar and restaurant business lead to closures and we answer listener questions on trade policy.

Care for a glass of Chianti or Bordeaux after recent market volatility? It’ll cost ya. After a tense few weeks, President Donald Trump announced a 20% tariff on all EU goods, including wine. While you might think that U.S. producers would be cheering, domestic wineries and wine shops are worried. Plus, there’s an ongoing tug-of-war in the bond market, and there’s a rally on Capitol Hill today over cuts to humanitarian aid.

Overseas stock markets and U.S. stock index futures are showing an upward move in prices today, and volatility is down in sharp contrast to yesterday morning. Yesterday’s rollercoaster ride resulted from false information about a potential tariff pause. Some $2.5 trillion went in and out of stocks, according to the Wall Street Journal — all in about a half hour. Also, U.S.-China trade tensions are escalating, and low oil prices may thwart Trump’s domestic oil production goals.

From the BBC World Service: In a push toward a full-blown global trade war, China has reacted strongly to President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on its exports to more than 100%, saying it would “fight until the end.” Meanwhile, markets in Asia and Europe are more stable after a few rocky days. Plus, how are businesses across the world dealing with uncertainties wrought by the onslaught of fresh tariffs?

Import levies on Chinese goods amount to 54% right now. But some things that China excels at producing will likely remain in China. In this episode, why shoemaking can’t up and leave anytime soon. Plus: Copper prices ballooned and tanked in the past few weeks, European carmakers weigh their options in the trade war and recession fears, not inflation fears, are driving bond yields.

Major indexes on Wall Street are highly volatile this morning after conflicting messages from the Trump administration over global tariffs. At first, there appeared to be word of a potential tariff pause under consideration at the White House; that sent stocks briefly skyrocketing. Then, another report came that contradicted the first, and stocks plunged again. Plus, with stocks tumbling, money has been pouring into safer alternatives like money market funds and CDs.

President Donald Trump told reporters last night that he doesn’t want stocks to go down but that “sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.” A key matter is whether 10% across-the-board tariffs — and country-specific ones as high as 49% — are permanent, considering the global market meltdown. The big jumps kick midweek. Also on the program: an interrogation of Americans’ debt and the weight of carrying debt in old age.

From the BBC World Service: Stock markets across Asia, Europe and Australia have continued to plummet as the shockwaves from President Donald Trump’s tariffs reverberate around the world. Markets were in the red, and no sectors were spared in Asia’s major sell-off. Plus, European trade ministers are meeting to work out a response to the new duties imposed by the U.S. Will they opt for retaliatory tariffs?