The US national debt has surpassed $38 trillion, with a significant increase in corporate bond issuance, especially from tech hyperscalers, raising concerns about upward pressure on interest rates and potential market fragility. The growing competition for bond investors and shifting investor composition, from foreign governments to profit-driven entities, could threaten the stability of US financing and increase borrowing costs amid rising deficits and political debates over spending and tariffs.
The article discusses how President Trump's tariffs in 2025 have led to slower job growth and increased unemployment, despite only modest increases in consumer prices, due to business uncertainty and hesitancy to invest or hire, with potential changes depending on upcoming legal rulings.
Last year, Trump's tariffs led to the slowest job growth in decades and a rise in unemployment, as businesses hesitated to hire or invest due to policy uncertainty, despite only modest increases in consumer prices.
A closely watched model, the Beveridge curve, suggests the US labor market may be on the verge of deterioration despite steady unemployment figures, with indicators like falling job vacancy rates and the jobs-workers gap signaling potential recession risks. Economists warn that even small shocks could lead to a sharp rise in unemployment, highlighting ongoing fragility in the labor market.
Debt charities report an unprecedented surge in calls for help in January, driven by financial stress from the holiday season and rising living costs, with many seeking assistance late at night and struggling to pay priority bills, highlighting the need for early intervention and support.
The US trade deficit has significantly decreased to its lowest since 2009, dropping by nearly half to around $29.4 billion in October 2025, driven by reduced imports and increased exports amid tariffs, which some economists see as a sign of economic resilience and a potential advantage in 2026.
US manufacturing jobs continue to decline despite Trump's tariffs, with over 70,000 jobs lost since April and employment levels below those of his initial term, reflecting a sluggish labor market and limited impact of trade policies on blue-collar employment.
US household wealth reached a record $181.6 trillion in Q3 2025, driven by a booming stock market fueled by AI investments and rising home prices, despite increased household and government debt. The data was delayed due to a government shutdown.
The US economy added only 50,000 jobs in December 2025, marking the weakest annual job growth since 2003, but the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, indicating a sluggish labor market with cautious optimism from markets and policymakers.
The article discusses the implications of the EU-Mercosur mega trade deal, highlighting the potential winners and losers among the involved parties, and providing insights into its economic impact.
The U.S. experienced its worst job growth since 2020 in 2025, with only 584,000 jobs added and a slowdown in hiring across sectors, reflecting a cautious labor market amid economic uncertainties and policy impacts, despite some positive signs like wage increases and lower unemployment benefits claims.
US job creation in 2025 slowed to its weakest pace since 2020, with only 50,000 jobs added in December and an average of 49,000 per month for the year, reflecting a cooling labor market despite steady economic growth and Federal Reserve rate cuts. The unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.4%, but overall job gains remain subdued amid mixed sector performances and ongoing policy debates.
US employment growth in December was modest, with 50,000 jobs added, marking the weakest year of growth since the pandemic, amid economic uncertainty and debates over interest rate policies. The unemployment rate decreased to 4.4%, and the labor market remains in a subdued 'no hire, no fire' phase, influencing upcoming Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates.
US job growth in December was weaker than expected with a 50,000 increase, but the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, indicating a mixed labor market outlook. The year saw the slowest job gains outside of a recession since 2003, reflecting a hiring recession despite strong economic growth and consumer spending. The report influences Federal Reserve interest rate decisions amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
