The falling trade deficit can mean a lot of things

Jan 7, 2020
U.S. consumers could be buying more American products. Or just buying less of everything.
David McNew/Getty Images

What's greener: a real Christmas tree or a fake one?

Dec 24, 2019
It depends! The Christmas tree a potent symbol not just for the season but for the sustainability of many things we buy.
It's not easy being green.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Manufacturing closes out the year in a slump

Dec 16, 2019
Job creation in manufacturing slowed from a boom to a trickle in 2019.
There are fewer jobs in auto assembly and parts so far this year. Above, a worker builds cars on the assembly line at a plant in Chicago, Illinois.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

What new import tariffs mean for one American steel company

Dec 5, 2019
"People are scrambling to buy steel," said Lisa Goldenberg, president of Delaware Steel Co.
Brazilian and Argentinian steel on the way to the United States got 25% more expensive after the president's tweet.
Daniel McNew/Getty Images

The people who connect the China and U.S. markets

Oct 4, 2019
Darren Quon and James Gau worked in manufacturing before moving into the business of consulting and sourcing.
Skyline of Dongguan city, a manufacturing hub.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

The Chinese manufacturers behind U.S. shoe brands

Oct 3, 2019
Shoe manufacturing shifted from Europe and the U.S., to Japan and Brazil, then to South Korea and Taiwan. Now, much of it takes place in mainland China.
Workers at Changjian Shoe factory in Dongguan city.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

For public good, not for profit.

What is the service economy, anyway?

Oct 3, 2019
The vast majority of American jobs are in the services sector; as distinct to manufacturing, agriculture and others.
Pixabay

The Chinese workers who make your shoes

Oct 2, 2019
China makes almost 70% of the shoes imported into the U.S.
Most people who produce goods for the U.S. come from China's poor countryside.
Photo courtesy of Shanghai 808 Studio

Chicago PMI shows signs of slowing economy

Oct 1, 2019
One of the economy's warning lights just switched on.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images