WASHINGTON — The United States is delaying tariffs on Chinese-made cellphones, laptop computers and other items and removing other Chinese imports from its target list altogether.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit rose to a five-month high in May as the politically sensitive imbalances with China and Mexico widened. The Commerce Department said July 3 that the gap between the goods and services the U.S. sells and what it buys from foreign countries rose 8.4% to $55.5 billion in May.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home sales rose in October, breaking a six-month losing streak. But sales remain down from a year ago, hurt by rising interest rates.

WASHINGTON — American manufacturers grew at a slower pace in October as factories contended with supply disruptions caused by disputes with China, Europe and other trading partners.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence rose again this month, hitting a new 18-year high. The Conference Board said Oct. 30 that its consumer confidence index climbed to 137.9 in October from 135.3 in September. Both readings are the highest since September 2000.

WASHINGTON — Record imports drove the U.S. trade deficit up for the third straight month in August.

WASHINGTON —U.S. consumer confidence shot up to an 18-year high in September — good news for retailers as the holiday shopping season approaches.

WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale prices fell unexpectedly last month for the first time since February 2017, pulled down by falling prices for transportation and warehousing services. The drop suggests that inflationary pressures may be easing despite the strength of the U.S. economy.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit widened for the second straight month in July, reaching the highest level since February, as imports hit an all-time high. The deficit in goods with China and the European Union set records.

WASHINGTON — U.S. industrial production rose modestly last month, held down by drops in mining and utilities.