Two things Trump likes: a narrower trade gap and a weak dollar
Two things Trump likes: a narrower trade gap and a weak dollar
At the G20 meeting of world leaders this week, President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are sure to talk about trade. Trump has been outspoken — on Twitter, at least — about the U.S. needing to shrink the “massive” trade deficit it has with Germany. The Commerce Department says the U.S. trade deficit did indeed shrink in May, with exports rising to a two-year high. One of the factors in that is a weak U.S. dollar, another economic fact President Trump finds favorable. But for either of those — a shrinking trade deficit or a weak dollar — to continue too far would mean a huge economic shift.
Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
