US economy shrinks in Q1

AFP | Washington

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The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year on an import surge triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff plans, although the president pinned the blame squarely on his predecessor.

The sharp increase in imports was a reflection of businesses and consumers stockpiling foreign goods to get ahead of Trump’s sweeping trade levies, which went into effect earlier this month.

All three major Wall Street indices fell on the economic news, with the Nasdaq sliding more than two percent before paring some losses, while oil prices extended their losses.