Economy Archive

Tariffs have long been a tool of international trade policy, used by countries to influence economic relationships and protect domestic industries. However, they can also result in higher prices for consumers and provoke retaliation from other nations—actions that may weaken exports and slow economic growth. When countries impose tariffs or other trade barriers on one another, it can escalate into what is known as a trade war.  

As challenging economic conditions plague all areas of the market, the agricultural industry appears to be consistently slumping as it endures a multi-year trough, testing the patience of credit managers across the industry.  

Commercial Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings increased 20% year-over-year in March 2025. “The 20% rise in commercial Chapter 11 filings to 733, up from 611 last year, signals persistent economic pressure, mirrored by a 10% increase in total commercial filings to 2,727,” said Michael Hunter, Vice President of Epiq AACER.  

President Trump’s trade war is officially on. However, in an extraordinary reversal just hours after they were set to go into effect, the President delayed the implementation of extremely harsh reciprocal tariffs on over 60 countries. That leaves in place the April 4th 10% across-the-board tariffs but gives the world time to breathe and react.

Bob Dylan famously sang, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” The market started the new year on a roller coaster, with the S&P 500 hitting an all-time high, then selling off on news of a fresh AI model from China. Many reacted by buying the dip in AI stocks, and the S&P 500 closed the month with a 2.7% gain. Mid-cap stocks outperformed their large-cap peers while small-cap continued to lag.

Tariffs, taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods, have gained significant attention in recent months. For credit professionals, tariffs can influence trade credit terms, payment schedules and risk assessments. They may also impact the cost structure of international transactions, affecting the pricing and profitability of goods.

NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) fell 1.2 points to 54.1 in December. Coming off the 26-month high set last month, the weaker reading is driven by a large drop in sales revenue and dollars collected on due and past-due invoices.

With a weary economy, political anxieties and inflation abound, it is no surprise that 2024 saw fewer people voluntarily leaving their jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the quitting rate dropped to a low 2.2%, with many Americans opting to stay in their current positions. The trend, dubbed the Great Stay, comes only two years after the peak of the Great Resignation, when a whopping four million people were quitting each month.