THREAD: us factories in
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News Timeline
US FACTORIES In PERIL: Shocking Slump Sparks Fear Across America
— America’s manufacturing sector is taking a hard hit. The latest numbers show the Purchasing Managers’ Index has dropped to 48.2. That’s below the line for growth and signals real trouble ahead. Factory orders have fallen for three months in a row, with new orders dropping 4.5% just in April.
Rising energy bills and supply chain messes are making life tough for manufacturers. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs in big industrial cities as companies warn profits could shrink even more if this keeps up.
Manufacturing stocks have taken a nosedive, dragging down the entire industrial market and shaking up investors across the country. Experts say if this slide continues, it could hurt jobs, slow down spending, and put America’s economy at risk.
With talk of a recession growing louder, everyone is watching to see what the Federal Reserve will do next about interest rates. Leaders are under pressure to make a move before things go from bad to worse.
APPLE’S Bold Gamble: $500 Billion US Investment Ignites Hope as Stores Vanish
— Apple just announced a massive $500 billion plan to boost American manufacturing and create jobs. Over the next four years, Apple will build an AI server factory in Texas, open a new academy in Detroit, and hire 20,000 workers for research and development. This bold move follows CEO Tim Cook’s meeting with President Trump as Apple seeks tariff relief during tough trade talks with China.
At the same time, U.S. retailers are facing hard times. More than 15,000 stores are set to close in 2025 — double last year’s total. Chains like Joann, Walgreens, CVS, Macy’s, and Advanced Auto Parts are closing hundreds of locations each. However, some brands like Aldi and Dollar General are still growing while others shrink.
In other business news: Dooap is teaming up with Amazon Business to help companies using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance buy supplies faster. Over in the UK, Virgin Media O2 is joining forces with Daisy Group to form a major new business service provider.
ESPN plans to launch a $30-per-month streaming service that doesn’t need cable TV at all. And even though many shops are shutting down nationwide, Cards Direct is opening its doors in Halifax after Clintons closed — proof that local retail can still adapt when times get tough.
$12 TRILLION TRADE Deficit Shocks America: Urgent Calls for Stronger Policies
— America’s trade deficit just hit a record $1.2 trillion, setting off alarm bells in Washington and around the world. The Treasury says there has been “substantial progress” in recent talks with China, but they aren’t sharing details.
Top U.S. and Chinese officials met in Switzerland to try to ease a tense trade war filled with new tariffs. But this huge deficit shows America is still struggling to balance trade with China and other countries.
This financial milestone is a warning sign for the U.S. economy and our place on the world stage. Lawmakers now face growing pressure to find real answers that protect American jobs and businesses.
Conservatives say it’s time for strong, America-first trade policies. They believe bold action is needed now more than ever to bring back stability and stop foreign competitors from taking advantage of our country.
INDIA’S Trade Demands Spark Fury as First American Pope Stirs Hope
— India is pushing for big tariff cuts on American products. Their goal? Shrink the trade gap with the U.S. from 13 percent to just four percent. If approved, this would remove duties on planes, cars, and medical gear — opening almost all of India’s market to American goods. But U.S. exporters might face new rules in exchange.
In Rome, history was made as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born Pope ever. His election comes during a time of global unrest and fresh calls for peace in places like Kashmir.
Old conflicts are still simmering around the world. The Israel-Palestine fight and tensions in Kashmir continue with no major changes today.
These events show our world is facing old problems but also seeing big changes that could shape our future.
TRUMP’S Auto Imports TarifF Shock: “Liberation DAY” Ignites Hope For American Jobs
— President Trump just announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and parts, starting April 2, 2025. He calls it “Liberation Day” for American industry. The new tariffs will hit countries like Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
The Trump team says these tariffs will boost U.S. manufacturing and protect American jobs. They believe it’s time to put America first and make foreign countries play by our rules — even if there’s some short-term pain.
Critics warn car prices could rise for families and that supply chains might get disrupted. Some experts say there could be temporary shutdowns in auto plants while companies adjust.
This move is part of Trump’s bigger plan to target steel, aluminum, and other imports from places like China and Venezuela. India may get special treatment as talks continue. Europe is already threatening to fight back over past metal tariffs.
APPLE’S $500 Billion Gamble: Can It Really Boost American Jobs?
— Apple has unveiled a groundbreaking $500 billion investment plan in the U.S. over the next four years. A new manufacturing facility in Houston, focused on AI servers, is part of this initiative. CEO Tim Cook highlighted this as a major push for American innovation and job creation.
The plan includes doubling Apple’s U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion, aiming to create 20,000 jobs. The Houston plant will cover 250,000 square feet and produce hardware for Apple Intelligence, their AI system. This comes amid trade tensions from tariffs on Chinese imports imposed by President Trump that affect tech sectors like chips.
Apple’s strategy appears aimed at countering trade challenges while competing with tech giants like Microsoft and Google in AI markets. Yet analysts question the feasibility of such an ambitious plan given Apple’s current capital of less than $160 billion and wonder if inflation-adjusted spending might actually decrease rather than increase real terms spending.
Questions persist about creating 20,000 jobs at an estimated cost of $25 million per job, casting doubt on Apple’s claims’ practicality. While Apple’s bold move seeks to navigate geopolitical pressures and market realities, its success remains uncertain amidst these challenges.
CHINA’S Record Trade Surplus Sparks Global Alarm
— In December 2024, CHINA reached a record trade surplus of $104.8 billion. This was due to a surge in exports before President-elect Donald Trump could impose tariffs. The New York Times reported that China’s export boom is causing friction with many trade partners, not just the United States. Several nations are now erecting tariff barriers against Chinese products to protect their markets.
China’s export success has been an economic boon, creating millions of jobs in sectors like manufacturing and engineering. The nation dominates industries such as solar panels and is becoming self-sufficient in areas like commercial jets. However, China still struggles with energy independence outside solar power.
The automobile industry showcases China’s manufacturing strength, evolving from a major importer to the world’s largest car exporter in two decades. Critics argue that China’s overcapacity and government subsidies distort global auto markets by flooding them with cheap vehicles amid declining local demand.
While record exports might seem beneficial for China, they could lead to financial strain if companies face bankruptcy due to low prices and excess inventory as tariff barriers persist globally. The auto industry may have peaked, facing strong resistance from politically influential foreign markets protecting their own electric vehicle sectors through tariffs and subsidies.
— US dockworkers threaten STRIKE over automation concerns Unions representing thousands of dockworkers warn that increased automation could displace jobs, raising fears of cargo shipment disruptions and potential inflation impacts
— US Dockworkers Threaten Strike Over Automation Concerns Union leaders warn that increasing automation could lead to job losses, risking major disruptions in shipping and supply chains nationwide
— Alabama Leads Nation in Prison Labor Contracts The state has a longstanding and lucrative history of outsourcing prisoner labor to private companies
— Dow Drops 300 Points as Rate Concerns Weigh on Post-Election Rally The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 300 points on Friday, stifling momentum from the recent election amid ongoing worries about rising interest rates
— Dow Hits New Record Before Struggling, S&P 500 Weighed Down by Tech Stocks The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a new high but faced challenges, while the S&P 500 was negatively impacted by declines in technology shares
Social Chatter
What the World is SayingFormer President Donald Trump is once again targeting global trade practices, this time zeroing in on tech giant Apple and its increasing reliance on India for iPhone production. 🔗: https://what...
. . .Energy dominance, manufacturing dominance, & AI dominance go hand-in-hand. We’ll make Ohio a model state to prove it.
. . .Time to turn the ‘Rust Belt’ into America’s Platinum Belt. If the last decade belonged to Silicon Valley, the next one belongs to the Ohio River Valley—not just programming, but production.
. . .Cratering imports from means no supply chain for American manufacturing. Which means idle factories (layoffs). Exports from the USA to China have also cratered. That also means idle factories...
. . .Boeing is now cancelled in China. The great decoupling begins. Or so it seems. The reality is that Boeing’s planes that are manufactured in America, for Americans, include about 10,000 Chinese...
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