WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods plunged in April amid mounting uncertainty over the economy because of tariffs, suggesting business spending on equipment weakened at the start of the second quarter. Economists said President Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on import duties was making it difficult for businesses to plan ahead. “I have predicted for months that business investment will be the main driver of a softer economic performance this year, as executives postpone their capital projects until they have more clarity on policy,” said Stephen Stanley, chief U.S. economist at Santander U.S. Capital Markets.Read More
Plummeting US core capital goods orders point to weak business spending
