Tariffying Times

U.S.-China trade tensions are still hot, and the Fed’s sweating.

China told its airlines to stop accepting Boeing jet deliveries and restricted exports of rare earth minerals—essential for everything from missiles and U.S. fighter jets to laptops and iPhones. In response, the White House cranked up tariffs on some Chinese imports to 245% and launched a national security probe into Uncle Sam’s foreign mineral dependence. 

Beijing shrugged off the move as a “meaningless tariff numbers game,” and vowed to see the trade war “through to the very end.”

The Fed is… in a pickle. Chair Jerome Powell said the tariffs are “significantly larger than expected” and warned they could cause higher inflation (typically remedied by raising rates) and slower economic growth (typically remedied by lowering rates). For now, the Fed is waiting “for greater clarity.”

Verse to consider when discerning your personal finance habits… “When a person’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.” 
Proverbs 16:7-8 (CSB) (read full passage)