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WSJ Your Money Briefing

The Remarkable Resilience of the U.S. Economy

May 6, 2025
Jeanne Whalen, a Wall Street Journal reporter, shares insights on the surprising resilience of the U.S. economy amidst tariff changes and trade war threats. The conversation highlights how strong GDP and employment figures defy fears of recession, despite recent economic contractions. Whalen discusses consumer concerns about tariffs and their potential impact on confidence and product availability. Listeners will discover contrasting views on economic health, showcasing the underlying strength of the American economy despite uncertainty.
10:47

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The American economy shows resilience, with strong job market growth and a consistent unemployment rate despite fears stemming from tariffs and inflation.
  • Consumer confidence is declining due to inflation concerns and anticipated price increases, leading businesses to defer investments amidst economic uncertainties.

Deep dives

Economic Resilience Amidst Challenges

Despite recent fears stemming from tariffs and a volatile market, the economy shows signs of resilience. Economists have pointed out that, leading into the current year, the job market demonstrated strong growth, with more jobs created than initially anticipated, maintaining an unemployment rate around 4.2%. The GDP report indicates a 0.3% contraction primarily due to a significant surge in imports as businesses rushed to stock up before tariffs took effect. This surge, rather than a sign of weakening demand, suggests that the underlying health of the economy remains robust despite some unusual fluctuations in economic data.

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