Trade Uncertainty Index Soars to a New Record: Supply Lines

A gauge of trade worries hit a record high heading into President Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday of higher tariffs on some of the US’s biggest trading partners.

The Bloomberg Economics Global Trade Policy Uncertainty Index topped 10 for the first time, exceeding the previous high of 9.48 set earlier this month. During Trump’s previous term in office, the number peaked at 4.58.

The concerns were apparent in the comments section of the Dallas Fed’s manufacturing survey released Monday:

• “Tariffs are a constant and increasing source of uncertainty,” a computer and electronics maker said.
• “Our biggest concern is import taxes ...