Wed Apr 30 06:52:09 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Trade War Plunges US Economy into Uncertainty, Risks Recession

**Washington, April 30, 2025** – President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies are sending shockwaves through the American economy, with businesses canceling orders from China, delaying expansion plans, and bracing for further tariff surprises. The resulting uncertainty is fueling a consumer slump, pushing the US towards a potential recession.

The impact is already being felt. First-quarter economic growth is projected to be a meager 0.8%, the slowest in nearly three years, down significantly from 2.4% in the final quarter of 2024. Economists largely attribute this downturn to Trump’s erratic tariffs, which have reached a staggering 145% on goods from China. China has retaliated with its own tariffs, creating a trade war that has destabilized global markets.

The Port of Los Angeles anticipates a 35% drop in cargo arrivals from China within two weeks, while ocean container bookings from China to the US have plummeted by 60% since the tariffs were announced. Companies, many of whom rushed to stockpile goods before the tariffs took effect, are now facing dwindling inventories. Shortages are expected in the coming weeks, particularly for goods heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing, such as furniture, baby products, and toys. Several businesses, including toymakers and game publishers, have already halted shipments or are facing significant cost increases.

Retailers, wary of rising prices and softening consumer demand, are freezing expansion plans. Consumer confidence is at its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly one-third expecting hiring slowdowns. Economists are increasingly concerned, with some predicting a high probability of a recession in the near future. Job losses in trucking and retail are anticipated as the slowdown in goods imports ripples through the supply chain.

While the Trump administration has recently adopted a more conciliatory tone, the lingering uncertainty and substantial tariffs remain a major concern. Economists warn that even if trade policies are adjusted, the damage may already be done, with consumer behavior potentially exacerbating the economic downturn.

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