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Trade Fears Temper Optimism Among U.S. Manufacturers
Worries about sweeping U.S. tariffs on imported cars and uncertainties about trade deals eroded optimism among U.S. producers in April-June, says the National Assn. of Manufacturers.
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Worries about sweeping U.S. tariffs on imported cars and uncertainties about trade deals eroded optimism among U.S. producers in April-June, says the National Assn. of Manufacturers.
About 80% of respondents in NAM’s latest quarterly outlook survey have a positive outlook for their business. But that ratio is down from 90% who felt the same way in the first quarter.
Trade worries concern more than half of US. manufacturers. But NAM says two-thirds cite a bigger issue: the challenges of attracting and retaining a quality workforce.
NAM notes that the manufacturing sector continues to expand, although slowly, in spite of its concerns. The trade group’s outlook index slipped to 53.2 from 59.7 in the first quarter. But any number greater than 50 indicates an outlook that exceeds the historical average of the survey.
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