The economy is weaker due to tariff wars and a slow global economy. However, I think many perceptions of the weakness is overdone. The weaker manufacturing numbers are more manufacturing which has done badly during the Trump Presidency. Sadly he doesn't realize that most of our manufacturing comes from importing cheaper things overseas and making higher brand name equipment here. Higher steel prices makes us less competitive not more competitive. Sadly, US steel workers are hurting because it is slowing the business of their clients who are now cutting back.

This is a way to export manufacturing and kill the US not the other way around.

This is the continuing legacy of a trade policy gone awry. The tariffs are causing instability and slowing business in the US and throughout the world.

Crypto's seem to suffer the same problem 3rd world country currencies have to deal with. A strong dollars is distinctly bad for them and there are too many weak currencies to choose from. They become currencies to gamble on more than to want to buy and hold.

There is concern because the growth has slowed. That said, it seems to be slowing back down to the same level it has been for some time after sugar highs caused by the tax cut and some levels of deregulation. Sugar highs don't last forever, although they do risk nasty downtrends after they occur.

Prices can rise significantly if war occurs or even if rumors grow. Sadly if there is war with Iran there is a good chance they will destroy more of Saudi Arabia's production in retaliation.

As they say some is better than none. This applies to China trade as it does with most things. It's especially true given the US isn't offering much besides an end to tariffs which will increasingly hurt the US more than China from here on.

Oil prices are stabilizing and may rise on Saudi statements and as people realize that big oil is no longer looking to drill new areas as much as acquire floundering small oil companies pumping at losses only to pay for their massive debt load.

Charting doesn't help right now. The main issue is Trump's trade deals or lack thereof and his growing inability to understand trade deals must be done with allies and they must be based on compromise on both sides. There is no winner/loser in this game. Either both sides win or both sides lose.

The problem is chaos is entering the system because no one knows what Trump will do tomorrow. So far it has been nothing good. Uncertainty is deadlier to the market that tariffs or trade wars.

Some are claiming tariffs aren't causing inflation, however they are. It is isolated to what is being tariffed is why it hasn't appeared everywhere like normal inflation.

www.cnbc.com/.../...rs-and-it-could-get-worse.html

They are also hurting the supply chain and global sales. The US is not insulated anymore by the negative effects of the widening trade war not to mention Trump's new tiffs with Europe after seeing no one is interested in following him as he insults them.