US could be forced to refund ‘about half’ of tariffs if SCOTUS rules against Trump, Bessent says, and the implications are rather complex, to put it mildly. The prospect of potentially having to give back a substantial portion of the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, in the event of an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling, raises a lot of questions, and understandably sparks a range of reactions.
The initial gut reaction is often a mixture of frustration and cynicism, especially regarding the fate of the refunds. The common sentiment seems to be that the companies, not the everyday consumers who ultimately bore the cost through increased prices, would likely be the beneficiaries.… Continue reading
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) reports a dramatic decline in postal traffic to the U.S. following the end of a trade exemption rule. After August 29, 2025, the “de minimis” rule, which exempted small packages under $800 from tariffs, was suspended, leading to an 81% drop in traffic compared to the previous week. The UPU is actively developing a technical solution to restore mail flow. This move was initiated by the Trump administration, citing concerns about counterfeit goods, fentanyl, and the trade deficit.
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In response to the European Union’s $3.5 billion antitrust fine against Google, former US President Donald Trump criticized the decision as “unfair” and threatened retaliatory action. Trump stated the fine would take money away from American investments and jobs, vowing his administration would not allow such “discriminatory actions” to continue. This followed a meeting with Google executives where he praised a US court decision in a separate antitrust case, while the EU’s ruling focused on Google’s alleged abuse of its dominant position in digital advertising. Google has since rejected the ruling and plans to appeal the decision.
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Donald Trump’s economy falters as US jobs growth grinds to a halt. The situation is becoming increasingly clear: the economic landscape under Donald Trump is shifting, and the job market, a key indicator of economic health, is struggling. The narrative of a robust economy, often touted, now faces the stark reality of slowing job growth.
The data suggests the labor market is a lagging indicator, reflecting the strain felt by those seeking work. Personal anecdotes highlight the difficulties in finding employment, suggesting that the positive economic figures previously reported don’t paint the full picture. The manufacturing sector, in particular, continues to shed jobs, seemingly unaffected by protectionist measures such as tariffs, which, as some point out, don’t offer the promised benefits.… Continue reading
The U.S. trade deficit surged in July, exceeding $78 billion, marking a significant 32.5% increase from the previous month. This widening gap reflects the ongoing impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the global economy, with imports rising nearly 6% as businesses and consumers stocked up ahead of new tariffs. Small business owners have reported increased costs and challenges in selling products abroad due to tariffs on imported components, impacting their competitiveness. Furthermore, tariffs appear to have negatively affected the “Made-in-the-USA” brand, as indicated by declining global favorability ratings for the United States.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a series of measures designed to bolster Canada’s economy against trade disruptions, particularly those stemming from the U.S. These measures include a pause on the electric vehicle (EV) mandate, a $5 billion strategic response fund to aid businesses, and a “Buy Canadian” policy to prioritize domestic procurement. Additional initiatives involve a reskilling package for up to 50,000 workers, expanded employment insurance benefits, and increased loan availability for small and medium-sized enterprises. The government will also provide assistance to the agricultural and seafood sectors, which have been negatively impacted by tariffs.
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New government data indicates that U.S. job growth has nearly stalled, raising concerns about the economy’s direction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported only 22,000 jobs added in August, significantly below expectations, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%. This slowdown is occurring despite the stock market’s positive performance, largely due to anticipated interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The economic uncertainty stems from policies such as tariffs on imports, which have also contributed to ongoing inflation.
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President Trump’s tariffs, which imposed duties as high as 145% on some countries, face a Supreme Court challenge after a federal appeals court ruled they were unlawfully enacted. If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s decision, the Treasury could be forced to refund over $210 billion in tariff revenue to American businesses. While businesses await potential refunds, economic experts caution that such a move could lead to increased government borrowing and potentially fuel inflation. Therefore, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of the tariffs has wide-ranging implications for both businesses and the overall economy.
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US manufacturing contracts for sixth straight month amid tariff drag, and it’s hard not to be taken aback by the situation. It’s almost as if the folks who thought increasing the cost of both supplies and labor simultaneously would magically create a manufacturing boom were… well, let’s just say they might not have had the firmest grasp on basic economics. It’s pretty ironic, isn’t it? And, really, who could have predicted this?
US manufacturing contracts for sixth straight month amid tariff drag – the data just doesn’t lie. It seems a lot of people were misled, thinking the whole “America First” plan would magically revitalize the sector.… Continue reading
In a recent cabinet meeting, President Trump criticized India’s trade practices, labeling the relationship a “totally one sided disaster.” He stated India offered to cut tariffs to zero, though it was too late, while also accusing India of buying Russian oil and arms. This critique followed the U.S.’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports, due to what the U.S. perceived as India’s high tariffs on American goods. Trump’s statements come amid souring relations and data showing a disparity in average tariffs between the two countries, further complicated by India’s stance on trade with Russia.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker