'Big story': Business reporter warns empty shelves on the horizon for Americans
April 24, 2025
A business reporter warned that Americans are a few weeks away from seeing empty shelves in stores due to President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war with China.
Christine Romans, senior business correspondent for NBC News, provided an update on the market's response to Trump's shift in language with China.
"The thing here is that the tone is the only thing that has changed," Romans explained, saying that the news is focusing on the "words" and "attitude" of the president changing.
"There's not actual concrete details to be reacting to," she said. "So, the market is responding to a tone shift from the president, where just a week or so ago, he was saying, 'If you don't want to tariff, make it in America.' It's my way or the highway. And now he's saying, well, no, it's not going to be 150%. So, the market is up today. It was up yesterday."
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She explained that Trump's "Liberation Day" press conference at the beginning of April happened in conjunction with a Dow over 42,000.
"So, you've seen these huge moves in the market. Put it in perspective, you're down 7% since this trade war began, with no meaningful difference here, especially with China," Romans said. "China is the big story here. No meaningful progress or difference here — other than the words the president is saying and the tone he is taking."
However, she also issued a warning that Americans can expect to see it beyond just an increase in prices.
"The shippers are saying — one major shipper this morning confirming that there are 30% fewer containers on the water today than a year ago, 30% fewer!" she added. "There's no way Americans don't feel that and see that in store shelves in the coming weeks."
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