Consumer confidence in the United States fell to its lowest level since the introduction of sweeping tariffs in April, according to a survey released Tuesday. The Conference Board’s index dropped 3.8 points to 89.1 in December, down from a revised 92.9 in November and approaching the 85.7 reading recorded in April when President Donald Trump imposed import taxes on trading partners.
A gauge of short-term expectations for income, business conditions and the labour market held steady at 70.7, but remained well below the 80-point threshold that typically signals a looming recession. This marked the eleventh consecutive month that the measure has stayed under 80, indicating persistent anxiety about the economic outlook.
Consumers’ assessments of current economic conditions tumbled 9.5 points to 116.8, reflecting growing unease. Write-in responses from the survey highlighted that high prices and inflation remain the top concern for Americans, alongside the impact of tariffs.
