US Economy
No agreement at US-China trade talks as positions harden
By Nick Beams, 11 May 2019
A week ago, a deal had been expected, but that scenario was blown up when the Trump administration accused Beijing of backtracking on its commitments.
The Uber IPO: Billions for investors, increased exploitation for workers
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2019
The global strikes and protests by Uber and Lyft drivers amid an orgy of stockholder enrichment underscore the need for workers to adopt an international socialist strategy.
US tariff hike against China goes ahead
By Nick Beams, 10 May 2019
Trump said talks with Chinese representatives would proceed, but “I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
On eve of trade talks in Washington
Trump threatens new tariffs against China
By Nick Beams, 6 May 2019
Trump’s threats, aimed at putting intense pressure on Chinese negotiators when they sit down with their US counterparts on Wednesday, could have the effect of blowing up the talks.
US-China trade talks enter final phase
By Nick Beams, 4 May 2019
One of the main sticking points is agreement on the procedure by which US tariffs imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods would be lifted if a trade agreement is reached.
US threatens UK over Huawei involvement in 5G network
By Robert Stevens, 1 May 2019
After it was leaked that Huawei could help build the British 5G network, the Trump administration is threatening to shut Britain out of “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing.
Amazon posts record $3.6 billion profit in first three months of 2019
By Niles Niemuth, 27 April 2019
Amazon plans to increase the exploitation of workers in the US and internationally by implementing free one day shipping for Prime subscribers to ensure ever-bigger profits.
Fed “pivot” promotes stock market surge
By Nick Beams, 26 April 2019
While share prices soar, the global economic outlook has worsened, with growing signs of a downturn.
OECD report: Growth of social inequality fuels global political and economic crisis
By Jessica Goldstein, 23 April 2019
The findings of the report showed that among OECD countries, a growing number of middle-income earners perceive “that the current socioeconomic system is unfair.”
Empty buildings, empty promises: Foxconn con job continues in Wisconsin
By Jacob Crosse, 22 April 2019
An estimated $300 million has already been siphoned from public coffers to provide transportation access for a nonexistent factory complex.
New round of US-China trade talks
By Nick Beams, 19 April 2019
Among the most contentious issues that remain unresolved are which US tariffs would continue force and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism.
Trump, the Fed and the New York Times
By Nick Beams, 17 April 2019
Trump has repeatedly attacked the Fed after Wall Street last year experienced its worst December result since the depths of the Great Depression in 1931.
US Tax Day 2019: Sixty giant corporations pay zero income tax
By Patrick Martin, 16 April 2019
As a consequence of Trump’s 2017 tax cut for the wealthy, the number of Fortune 500 companies paying no federal income taxes has doubled.
As trade tensions increase, IMF lowers forecasts for global growth
By Nick Beams, 11 April 2019
The IMF reported that industrial production and investment remained weak in many advanced and developing economies, and world trade had yet to recover.
Trump calls for more cheap money for financial markets
By Nick Beams, 8 April 2019
Proposals by Trump to fill two vacancies on the Fed’s board of governors have brought denunciations of political stacking.
US-China trade deal pushed back
By Nick Beams, 6 April 2019
Trump emerged from a meeting with chief Chinese trade negotiator Liu He to say it would take at least four weeks to reach an agreement as he declined to set a date for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Investigation shows that a malfunctioning Boeing sensor caused Ethiopian Airlines crash
By Kevin Reed, 5 April 2019
The preliminary report by the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau shows that a faulty angle-of-attack sensor was behind the crash on March 10 that killed 157 passengers and crew.
Amid auto layoffs and warnings of manufacturing “bloodbath”
IMF chief points to global growth deceleration
By Nick Beams, 4 April 2019
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde noted that while two years ago 75 percent of the global economy was experiencing an upswing, today 70 percent is in a slowdown.
Sears abruptly slashes life insurance coverage for 90,000 retirees
By Jacob Crosse, 3 April 2019
Retirees have been given two options—either convert all or a portion of the previously held policy into a new plan, and begin making payments, or watch it evaporate.
Lyft IPO: Wall Street rakes in billions from the growth of casualized labor
By Dan Conway, 1 April 2019
A small layer of investors and company employees have become multimillionaires and billionaires, while hundreds of thousands of drivers struggle to make ends meet on poverty level wages.
US-China trade deal still in the balance
By Nick Beams, 30 March 2019
The issue of enforcement has been at the centre of US demands, with Washington wanting the right to impose tariffs on China without any retaliation.
Mounting warnings of a global recession
By Nick Beams, 29 March 2019
Bloomberg has reported that the amount of global bonds with negative yields has topped $10 trillion, an indication of the growing uncertainty in financial markets.
Massive Hudson Yards real estate project opens in Manhattan
By Fred Mazelis and Mark Witkowski, 25 March 2019
The development is the latest and most extreme expression of the gentrification and inequality that has reached unprecedented levels in the capital of American capitalism.
Median CEO pay in US tops $1 million a month
By Patrick Martin, 18 March 2019
Attacks on workers are paying off for the bosses at Ford, Boeing, Blue Cross Blue Shield and other giant corporations.
A tirade against China at US Senate committee hearing
By Nick Beams, 14 March 2019
The questioning of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer centred almost exclusively on the content and progress of trade talks with Beijing.
New York Times lines up with anti-China hawks
By Nick Beams, 12 March 2019
The key US demand is that China must make “structural” changes to its economy, including abandoning state subsidies to major industries.
US jobs numbers highlight global growth concerns
By Nick Beams, 11 March 2019
Last week the OECD cut its growth forecast for advanced economies in 2019 from 1.8 percent to 1 percent, with Europe taking the brunt of the downward revision.
US “retail apocalypse” expected to exceed annual high with more than 1,100 store closures announced in one day
By Trévon Austin, 9 March 2019
More than 6,300 stores are already set to close in 2019 already surpassing the total number of closures last year.
Some economic and political conclusions
The ten-year stock market bull run
By Nick Beams, 9 March 2019
Over the past decade, as a result of policies carried out by the US government, financial authorities and the US Federal Reserve, trillions of dollars have been pumped into financial markets, lifting the Dow and the S&P 500 by more than 300 percent.
Record US deficit in traded goods
By Nick Beams, 7 March 2019
The increased deficit is an expression of the inherent contradictions of Trump’s “America First” trade agenda, within the framework of a globalised economy.
US-China trade deal reported to be in the making
By Nick Beams, 5 March 2019
The Trump negotiators are insisting that the US retain the right to impose tariffs if it considers a deal has been abrogated and China should not impose any retaliatory measures.
Canada gives go-ahead for Huawei executive’s extradition to US
By Nick Beams, 2 March 2019
A statement from Meng’s defence lawyers objected to the Canadian decision in the face of what it called “the political nature of the US charges.”
Enforcement and technology key issues in China trade deal, Lighthizer tells US Congress
By Nick Beams, 1 March 2019
The US Trade Representative made it clear the fundamental question is “structural reforms” in the Chinese economy.
Socialism and the case for expropriation
By Andre Damon, 27 February 2019
A growing movement of the working class confronts the entrenched power of a financial oligarchy intent on expanding its wealth and domination over society.
Ford production crippled by Mexican workers’ strike
By Jerry White, 27 February 2019
After concealing news about the strike in Mexico for six weeks, the Detroit Free Press acknowledged that it has forced Ford to halt production due to a lack of steering wheels.
Illinois and New Jersey governors sign $15 minimum wage into law
By Jacob Crosse, 25 February 2019
Promoted by the unions and the pseudo-left, the “Fight for $15” campaign has been utilized by the Democratic Party to institutionalize poverty wages for millions of workers.
Further blows to US anti-Huawei campaign
By Nick Beams, 23 February 2019
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the German government is “leaning towards letting Huawei … participate in building the nation’s high-speech internet infrastructure.”
Trump receives “national security” report on auto imports
By Nick Beams, 21 February 2019
A Commerce Department investigation is believed to state that auto imports constitute a “threat.”
No agreement on US-China trade with talks to continue
By Nick Beams, 16 February 2019
The next round will be virtually the last chance to reach a formal agreement before March 1, after which the US will increase tariffs—from 10 to 25 percent—on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
Wealth concentration increases in US and globally
By Nick Beams, 15 February 2019
The top 1 percent in the US now owns about 40 percent of household wealth, increasing its share by at least 10 percentage points since 1989.
Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Sears to former CEO Edward Lampert for $5.2 billion
By Jacob Crosse, 11 February 2019
The beleaguered retail chain lives to die another day as remaining workers are left with an uncertain future
More US drug price hikes in 2019
By Alex Johnson, 4 February 2019
According to Reuters, drug manufacturers raised the prices of more than 250 prescription drugs, including the world’s top-selling medicine, Humira.
No deal reached at US-China trade meeting
By Nick Beams, 2 February 2019
A statement issued by the White House at the conclusion of the discussions said Trump had reiterated that the US will increase tariffs unless an outcome is reached.
The Fed’s interest rate U-turn: Some economic and political conclusions
By Nick Beams, 2 February 2019
The financial elites on Wall Street, addicted to the supply of ultra-cheap money as they appropriate the wealth produced by the labour of billions of workers, dictate economic policy.
Foxconn drastically scales back Wisconsin investment
By Jacob Crosse, 1 February 2019
This is the second time the Foxconn investment, promoted by the Trump administration as proof that its tax cuts would benefit workers, has been significantly reduced.
In the wake of December’s market turbulence
US Fed does about-turn on interest rates
By Nick Beams, 31 January 2019
The Federal Reserve’s statement yesterday dropped its language stating that further rises would be appropriate.
US and China still miles apart as trade talks are set to begin
By Nick Beams, 29 January 2019
The US is demanding China scrap its program for future economic development by implementing so-called “structural” changes.
Davos overshadowed by crisis and social upheaval
By Nick Beams, 25 January 2019
The decision to hand the keynote address to the newly installed fascistic president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, demonstrated the political orientation of the global elites at Davos.
Shopko retail chain files for bankruptcy, 105 stores across US to close
By Jacob Crosse, 24 January 2019
After decades of loyal service Shopko employees are to be laid off and their pensions raided so that wealthy executives can reap millions of dollars in bonuses and fees.
Head Start, school lunches and social programs targeted for elimination
The Congressional Budget Office points US spending priorities towards “great power” conflicts: Part Two
By Guillaume Garnier and Nancy Hanover, 21 January 2019
A recent CBO report insists that the vast majority of discretionary appropriations be allocated to the US military machine and its ever-expanding wars, while outlining “options” for eviscerating social services and public education.
Auto jobs massacre widens
Tesla, Nissan announce mass layoffs, Fiat Chrysler jobs threatened
By Marcus Day, 19 January 2019
The auto giants are seeking to terrorize an increasingly insurgent workforce into submission, as the companies confront slumping sales, a looming economic crisis and significant financial pressures.
“Made in China 2025” at centre of US-China economic war
By Gabriel Black, 19 January 2019
The US regards the “Made in China 2025” initiative as a major threat to its own global economic and strategic domination.
Report to Davos meeting points to deepening contradictions of global capitalism
By Nick Beams, 18 January 2019
The gathering of global elites is very mindful of the mounting international class struggle, with “social anger” increasingly prevalent.
World Bank warns of “storm clouds” over global economy
By Nick Beams, 15 January 2019
The bank cut its June forecast for global growth of 3 percent this year to 2.9 percent and warned that “the risks are growing that growth could be even weaker than anticipated.”
Macy’s marks worst day ever on Wall Street, will shut eight stores in 2019
By Jessica Goldstein, 14 January 2019
Against the backdrop of Sears’ threatened liquidation, Macy’s and other department retailers suffered severe stock drops and announced plans for more store closures.
Sears liquidation temporarily averted, thousands more jobs to be slashed
By Jessica Goldstein, 9 January 2019
Sears Holding Corp. has put liquidation on hold as hedge fund manager and asset stripper Eddie Lampert, its primary shareholder, revised a bid to purchase the company’s assets.
Wall Street rules
By Andre Damon, 5 January 2019
The Federal Reserve, responding to Thursday’s stock market selloff, declared it was “listening” to the markets and ready to scrap its plans to raise interest rates.
The global slowdown: US trade war comes home
By Andre Damon, 4 January 2019
The economic warfare pursued by the Trump administration with the support of broad sections of the US political establishment is coming home to roost in the form of a global slowdown spreading to the United States.
US shutdown, payless paydays could continue for “weeks”
By our reporters, 3 January 2019
A White House meeting Wednesday showed no change in the ongoing standoff between Trump and congressional Democrats.
One year since Trump’s tax cuts: a balance sheet
Stock buybacks reach $1 trillion
By E.P. Milligan, 31 December 2018
It is now clear the vast majority of the corporate spending of the tax windfall has gone to the further enrichment of a tiny parasitic layer of investors and CEOs.
A wild week on Wall Street
By Nick Beams, 29 December 2018
This week registered the first gain for the financial markets in three weeks, but they remain on course to record the worst December since 1931.
Wild swings on Wall Street
By Nick Beams, 27 December 2018
Even with yesterday’s jump in share prices, both the Dow and the S&P 500 are on track for their worst December since 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression.
Fed attempt at calming markets fails
Wall Street plunge continues
By Nick Beams, 22 December 2018
Both the S&P and the Dow are on track for their worst December performance since December 1931, during the Great Depression.
US and Mexican governments agree on new Central American “Marshall Plan”
By Alex González, 21 December 2018
The plan is aimed at keeping workers in Central America from migrating to Mexico and the US.
Sharp fall on Wall Street in response to Fed interest rate decision
By Nick Beams, 20 December 2018
The Dow fell on the announcement of the rate increase and then dropped even further as Fed chairman Jerome Powell addressed a news conference, with traders reportedly yelling “Stop this guy talking.”
Financial market fall accelerates on global growth fears
By Nick Beams, 18 December 2018
With all indexes now in “correction” territory, having fallen more than 10 percent since their highs, Wall Street is on track to record its biggest annual decline since 2008.
Turmoil on Wall Street continues
By Nick Beams, 11 December 2018
Concerns over global growth are a significant factor in the ongoing slide and volatility in US markets, with signs of a downturn reflected in the fall of commodity prices.
As Dow drops another 560 points
Wall Street Journal warns of stock “stampede”
By Nick Beams, 8 December 2018
The longest bull market in history has rested on the suppression of the class struggle by the trade union bureaucracy, which is breaking apart.
At Washington’s behest
Canada arrests top Chinese executive for “sanctions busting”
By Keith Jones and Roger Jordan, 7 December 2018
The arrest and impending extradition to the US of Meng Wanzhou is a diplomatic and geopolitical provocation that has effectively blown up the US-China trade-war “truce” after less than a week.
Trade and recession fears hit Wall Street
By Nick Beams, 5 December 2018
US share markets plunged yesterday amid fears of an escalating trade war with China as well as growing signs that the US economy is entering a recession.
Five years since Detroit bankruptcy
Moody’s warns investors about Detroit’s mounting debt
By Debra Watson, 5 December 2018
Moody’s Investors Service has issued major warnings about the ability to meet bond payments and financial shortfalls in the city’s public schools.
The US mortality crisis: CDC reports extraordinary drop in life expectancy
By Trévon Austin, 30 November 2018
Not since the combined impact of World War I and the Spanish Flu in 1918 has the country experienced such a prolonged period of decline in life expectancy.
US Fed chairman’s speech boosts Wall Street
By Nick Beams, 29 November 2018
Powell indicated that the Federal Reserve is not committed to further interest rate rises next year and is very attuned to the financial markets’ demands.
A call to action to fight the GM plant closings and mass layoffs
By Jerry White, 28 November 2018
Autoworkers and the working class as a whole cannot accept the “right” of the corporate and financial elite to shut these plants down.
GM to close five plants in US and Canada, slash 14,700 jobs
For an industrial counteroffensive against job cuts!
By Jerry White, 27 November 2018
The plant closings have been facilitated by the unions and pose the need for autoworkers in the US and Canada to form independent organizations to prepare coordinated strike action.
Global conditions fuel Wall Street sell-off
By Nick Beams, 22 November 2018
The market has trended down since the start of October, led largely by high-tech stocks, but this week the falls broadened.
US-China trade conflict leads to Wall Street sell-off
By Nick Beams, 20 November 2018
The sell-off was led by hi-tech stocks which are sensitive to heightened trade war tensions that impact on their global supply chains and could lessen demand for their products.
Investigations point to energy corporation’s negligence in California wildfire
By E.P. Milligan, 15 November 2018
The PG&E utility company admitted Tuesday that it had submitted an “electric incident report” moments before the outbreak of the Camp Fire, the deadliest fire in California history.
IBM’s purchase of Red Hat highlights growing power of technology giants
By Mike Ingram, 10 November 2018
With its purchase of the open source enterprise Linux company Red Hat, IBM hopes to compete with rival tech giants, Amazon, Microsoft and Google, particularly in the area of military cloud contracts
Merrimack Valley disaster, National Grid lockout highlights dangers of profit-driven gas system
By John Marion, 9 November 2018
As Columbia Gas cuts corners in the restoration of service to Merrimack Valley communities, more than 1,200 skilled gas workers are still locked out by National Grid.
Trump manoeuvres in lead-up to talks with Chinese President Xi
By Nick Beams, 3 November 2018
The aim is either to extract major concessions from China or, failing that, create the best conditions for pressing ahead with trade war measures.
GM makes record quarterly profit as US corporations accelerate cost-cutting
By Jerry White, 1 November 2018
The United Auto Workers union has played a critical role in suppressing workers’ wages and intensifying their exploitation in the factories.
A major escalation in the US economic war against China
By Nick Beams, 1 November 2018
The US Commerce Department has imposed restrictions on dealings with a major Chinese high-tech firm, Fujian Jinhua, citing “national security interests.”
Wall Street falls as US-China trade tensions rise
By Nick Beams, 30 October 2018
Bloomberg reported that the US is planning to introduce new tariffs covering all Chinese imports if talks fail between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Former Fed chair warns of new financial crisis
By Nick Beams, 26 October 2018
In remarks unprecedented for a former central banker, Janet Yellen told the Financial Times that the lessons of the financial crash of 2008 were being forgotten.
After Teamsters overrule “no” vote on contract, UPS earnings up 20 percent
By Will Morrow, 25 October 2018
The continuous growth in profits is facilitated by the Teamsters union, which functions as an instrument of UPS management and cheap labor contractor.
Fall in hi-tech shares wipes out Wall Street’s 2018 gains
By Nick Beams, 25 October 2018
The tech-heavy NASDAQ index has dropped by its biggest amount in seven years, having fallen by 12 percent since its peak in August.
Comptroller’s report details crisis of New York’s decaying transit system
By Alan Whyte, 25 October 2018
The statistics highlight a fiscal and infrastructure disaster in the making.
Wall Street volatile as global economy becomes “fragile”
By Nick Beams, 19 October 2018
Market instability is being fuelled by the worsening global economic outlook and escalating trade tensions between the US, China and other countries.
Sears files for bankruptcy, set to close 200 stores
By Trévon Austin, 16 October 2018
Tens of thousands of workers at Sears are the latest victims of the ongoing “retail apocalypse” in the United States.
Wall Street fall continues in day of swings
By Nick Beams, 12 October 2018
All major US indexes are now below their 200-day moving average, which is regarded as a key indicator of the market’s direction.
Major fall on Wall Street as interest rates rise
By Nick Beams, 11 October 2018
The main factor behind the fall appears to be the spike in yields on US Treasury bonds, which have risen sharply in recent days to above 3 percent.
IMF revises down global growth projection
By Nick Beams, 11 October 2018
The world outlook report warns that trade tensions have shifted the “balance of risks” to the downside.
Key provision of USMCA trade deal aimed at China
By Nick Beams, 9 October 2018
A clause in the US trade deal with Canada and Mexico is aimed at nothing less than a “reset” of global trade relationships.
Ford announces plans for more layoffs amid new restructuring efforts
By Marcus Day, 9 October 2018
Under increasing pressure from Wall Street, Ford announced further restructuring efforts last week, including the planned elimination of thousands of salaried positions.
Forbes 400 List
Wealth of 400 richest Americans hits record $2.9 trillion
By Alec Andersen, 4 October 2018
The net worth of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest individual, grew by $78.5 billion over the past year.
Ten years since the 2008 bank bailout
By Andre Damon, 3 October 2018
The creation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program on October 3, 2008, was the initial step in a massive redistribution of wealth and restructuring of class relations in the United States and internationally.
Trump touts tariffs and trade war following NAFTA renegotiation
By Roger Jordan, 2 October 2018
The revised trade pact forges a US-led North American protectionist trade bloc in preparation for economic and military conflict with Washington’s global rivals, above all China.
IMF chief warns of rising risks facing global economy
By Nick Beams, 2 October 2018
The IMF is set to downgrade its forecast for global growth amid rising trade tensions.
Trump threatens “strategic allies” with auto tariffs
By Nick Beams, 29 September 2018
After being used against the European Union, the threat of auto tariffs on “national security” grounds was brought out against Japan and Canada this week.
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