Trump and the Tariff Tug-of-War: Impact on Big Brands

by News Editor

May 19, 2025

In a heated continuation of U.S. trade policy debates, former President Donald Trump has exerted pressure on corporate giants like Walmart and Amazon, urging them not to increase prices as a result of elevated global tariffs. This call to action echoes a sentiment reminiscent of President Joe Biden’s ‘greedflation’ critique.

Trump’s recent outburst came after Walmart announced plans to hike prices, attributing the decision to the inflated costs tied to the ongoing trade war. As a fierce response, Trump demanded that Walmart and others absorb the tariffs, rather than passing added costs to consumers.

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Similar pressures have hit other industries, from Amazon abandoning tariff surcharges to Mattel confronting threats of new levies. Trump’s bold strategies signal potential volatility ahead, particularly impacting sectors dependent on affordable manufacturing overseas.

With the stakes high, the delicate balance between appeasing consumer demand and ensuring shareholder returns remains a focal point, especially as other impacted companies must prioritize their responses. Investors are closely watching these developments for future indications of trade impacts on pricing and profit margins.

As the discourse continues, several questions linger: Can large corporations withstand these political challenges without trickling down costs? Will consumers bear the brunt, or will strategic resilience protect household budgets? The ramifications of this economic leadership approach undeniably extend well beyond American borders.

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European Central Bank Report Highlights Stable Inflation and Economic Outlook

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 29, 2025

Overview Of Inflation Trends

The latest European Central Bank survey shows a slight decline in median inflation expectations over the next 12 months, decreasing from 2.8% in August to 2.7% in September. Despite this minor adjustment, consumer perceptions of past 12-month inflation have held steady at 3.1% for the eighth consecutive month. Long-term projections for three- and five-year inflation remain stable at 2.5% and 2.2% respectively.

Consumer Expectations Drive Income And Spending Projections

Across the board, expectations for nominal income growth over the upcoming year have remained consistent at 1.1%. However, there is a noticeable shift in spending behavior: while perceived nominal spending growth for the past year slipped slightly to 4.9% from 5.0%, expectations for spending growth over the next 12 months rose to 3.5%. Notably, lower income groups continue to forecast marginally higher spending increases compared to their higher income counterparts.

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Stability In Economic And Labour Market Outlook

Economic growth expectations are modestly pessimistic, with respondents forecasting a contraction of -1.2% over the next 12 months. Concurrently, anticipated unemployment levels remain unchanged at 10.7% a year ahead, though the outlook varies by income, with lower income households expecting unemployment rates as high as 12.7%, while higher income groups maintain expectations around 9.4%. Overall, the slight difference between current and future unemployment suggests a broadly stable labor market outlook.

Housing Market And Credit Conditions

The survey also reveals an upswing in expectations related to the housing market. Home price growth expectations have edged higher to 3.5%, and anticipated mortgage interest rates have risen modestly to 4.6%. Similar to other metrics, expectations vary by income, with lower income households expecting higher mortgage rates. In recent months, a marginal decline in reported credit tightening over the past 12 months contrasts with a renewed forecast of tighter credit conditions in the forthcoming year.

Conclusion

The ECB’s latest findings underscore the delicate balance between stable long-term economic forecasts and short-term adjustments in consumer expectations. The slight dips in inflation expectations, alongside stable perceptions of past inflation, delineate a marketplace that is both cautious and measured. As income, spending, and housing market metrics continue to evolve, these indicators provide critical insights for policymakers and investors navigating an increasingly complex economic landscape.

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