Commentary

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 14 hours ago

As we consider the larger economic landscape it is easy to not notice things like this: Trump’s Rivalry With China Plays Out in a Sleepy Greek Port. The US doesn’t like Beijing’s ownership of the country’s biggest port, so it’s trying to come up with an alternative plan. https://buff.ly/QZjVyS0

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 16 hours ago

Slowest Labor Market in Years Leaves Job Seekers Stuck. Job hunts get more desperate, as workers cobble together part-time gigs, raid 401(k)s and get waitlisted by DoorDash. https://buff.ly/CYgesZp

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 18 hours ago

Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is forecast to see its first month-over-month gain in six months during January but is expected to remain down year over year until spring. https://buff.ly/f4BCfQe

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 19 hours ago

The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4 percent, according to Labor Department data released Friday, as layoffs remains low despite meager job creation. However, 2025 marked the fewest jobs gained for workers since 2020 and the second worst year since the Great Recession. Employers added 584,000 jobs in 2025, an average of 49,000 jobs per month in 2025. That’s a significant drop from the 2 million jobs added over 2024 or 168,000 per month. https://buff.ly/L6A8fMs

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 20 hours ago

Executives at large independent drillers have warned US President Donald Trump that his mission to seize Venezuela’s oil sector and drive down crude prices will hobble American output. https://buff.ly/hgca5pb

WWU Center for Economic and Business Research️ 1 day ago

From Bloomberg: America’s Statistical System Is Breaking Down. Canceled surveys, missing datasets and staffing cuts are leaving the US with growing blind spots — and weakening trust in official numbers. https://buff.ly/qr5L9pv