BUSINESS AND MONEY
New study finds imports are the largest contributor to U.S. GDP, raising concerns as tariffs and global trade tensions intensify
Imports are the largest contributor to the U.S. economy, according to new research, underscoring how rising global trade tensions and tariffs could pose risks to future growth.
A new study by demand-planning software company Algo finds that imports generate more economic output than any other U.S. industry, contributing an estimated $3.85 trillion to gross domestic product. The findings come as President Donald Trump recently raised tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 percent, intensifying concerns about the long-term impact of trade disputes on the U.S. economy.
The research analyzed the annual GDP contribution of every major industry in the United States using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Industries with the highest output were identified as the most critical drivers of job creation and economic expansion.
Imports, which include both physical goods and services such as financial services purchased from other countries, ranked first overall. The industry’s $3.85 trillion contribution is more than two and a half times higher than the national industry average of $1.09 trillion.
Housing and utilities ranked second, contributing $3.35 trillion to GDP. This sector includes essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and sewage, and performs 207 percent above the national average.
Imported goods, defined as businesses that import physical products for resale, ranked third with a GDP contribution of $3.1 trillion, 184 percent higher than the average across all industries.
Health care ranked fourth, generating $3.06 trillion in economic output. State and local consumption expenditures, which include spending on education, public safety, and law enforcement, ranked fifth, contributing $2.4 trillion to GDP.
Other major contributors included nonprofit…
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FLEOA Urges Congress to Act as Shutdown Threat Looms Over Federal Law Enforcement
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is urging Congress to immediately pass the remaining
U.S. and Italy Mark 82nd Anniversary of World War II Operation Shingle
U.S. and Italian military personnel, dignitaries, families of fallen service members, and local residents came
The Business Case for Investing in Supply Chain Talent
Wilmington, NC, has grown into more than a coastal city with charm. It is now home to a mix of manufacturers, healthcare providers, distributors, and service businesses that rely on the steady movement of goods and materials. From the Port of Wilmington to regional distribution hubs, local companies depend…
Growing Demand for Immigration Lawyers Highlights Role of Glenn Immigration LLC in Navigating U.S. Immigration Law
Glenn Immigration LLC, accessible online at GlennImmigration.com, is advancing its role as a trusted destination for individuals and families seeking expert legal help in navigating the United States immigration system. With a strong focus on personalized service and comprehensive counsel, the firm’s principal attorney, Pepper N. Glenn, has positioned…
$1,776 Warrior Dividend Declared Tax-Free by IRS for U.S. Service Members
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially confirmed that the one-time $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” paid to more than 1.5 million U.S. service members in December 2025 is not taxable, allowing recipients to retain the full amount without federal income tax withholding.
The announcement by the Department of the Treasury…
California Realtors Push for Broader Homeownership in Response to State Address
The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) issued a formal response following Governor Gavin Newsom’s State of the State address, urging lawmakers to prioritize policies that expand homeownership opportunities and address California’s ongoing housing affordability challenges.
In its statement, C.A.R. acknowledged the governor’s recognition that housing costs remain one of the…
How to Protect Your Finances and Thrive in a Recession
For busy parents juggling childcare and bills, hourly workers with unpredictable schedules, and retirees living on fixed incomes, a recession can turn everyday expenses into daily stress. When an economic downturn hits, paychecks can shrink or disappear while essentials keep climbing, and the recession’s impact on a daily budget…
Homeowners considering rental income, especially those relocating, inheriting a property, or holding onto a former primary residence, often face the same tension: sell for a clean exit or convert the home from sale to rent and build a long-term rental. The residential rental market can make renting feel like a steady, reliable cash flow, but it also turns a home into a rental property investment with ongoing obligations and uncertainty. Long-term rental benefits include recurring income and potential long-run value, while challenges range from tenant risk to maintenance demands and changing local rules. A solid decision starts with rental property investment basics and an honest view of tradeoffs.
Quick Summary: Turning Your Home Into a Rental
- Focus on preparing the property with a practical checklist before listing it for long-term tenants.
- Focus on setting up the rental for profitability by making deliberate choices before you begin.
- Focus on screening tenants carefully using clear, essential criteria to reduce avoidable risks.
- Focus on choosing a long-term rental management approach that fits your needs and capacity.
Understanding Rental Profitability and Risk
To make your home a long-term rental, you need a simple way to judge profit and downside before you commit. That starts with estimating…
There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you first step onto a deck that belongs to you. It’s more than just a purchase. Honestly, it’s the beginning of a different kind of life. For many people, the idea of owning a yacht starts as a distant dream during a coastal vacation or a quiet moment looking out at the horizon. But turning that dream into a reality requires more than just enthusiasm. It requires a clear head and a solid plan.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely standing on the edge of that transition.
This guide is here to help you navigate the complexities of the maritime world so your first experience is as smooth as a calm sea. But let’s be real for a second. Have you actually pictured yourself at the helm, or are you just in love with the idea of the sunset? I guess we’ve all been there, staring at the water and imagining a different version of ourselves.
Defining Your Mission
Before you even look at a listing, you’ve got to ask yourself what you actually want to do on the water. In the industry, we call this your mission. Are you looking for a…
Crisis on America’s Roads: Why Commercial Transportation Safety Is Falling Behind the U.S. Economy
Over the past five years, the U.S. transportation industry has faced a noticeable rise in safety-related challenges. FMCSA reports a continued increase in violations and risk indicators across commercial fleets, while industry analyses point to higher accident severity and growing insurance costs. Many carriers struggle to pass FMCSA audits…
Kelln Small Provides Benefit Administration Strategies That Boost Retention
As Kelln Small highlights, organizations today are under rising pressure to attract and retain top talent, and a compelling benefits plan plays a crucial role in achieving that goal. Beyond salary, the way companies design, communicate, and provide benefits can profoundly influence employee satisfaction and loyalty.
With the rise…
Understanding the Basics of Modern Family Law and Issues Affecting Families
Family law addresses domestic and family relationships, including adoption, marriage, financial responsibilities, custody, and separation, to resolve disputes among family members. There are different family law systems across North America, and rules vary by jurisdiction, so when people search for a good family lawyer, they should seek one in…
Online Research Now Drives How Most Real Estate Agent Relationships Begin, Zillow Reports
The way homebuyers and sellers connect with real estate agents is undergoing a fundamental shift, as online research has become the dominant starting point for most agent relationships. New consumer data shows that digital discovery now plays a central role in how people evaluate, compare, and ultimately choose…
Nearly One in Four U.S. Workers Are Functionally Unemployed, New Study Finds
Nearly one in four American workers is considered “functionally unemployed,” according to a new analysis from the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity, underscoring persistent weaknesses in the U.S. labor market that are not reflected in official unemployment statistics.
The institute’s True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) for November shows that…
As a small business owner, you will always want to find ways to reduce your budget. It is wise to keep your costs down to improve your bottom line, but you must also be smart about cuts and avoid any that could harm the business or cost more in the long run. There are a few areas where small businesses are typically overspending, so this post will highlight these areas and offer advice on how to avoid overspending. This should help you reduce your monthly spending and save a significant amount over the course of a year. Read on to find out more.
Unused Software Subscriptions
These days, it is common for businesses to have a huge number of software subscriptions. Many of these will be critical to the daily running of the business, but you often find that there are software subscriptions that you can do without. The monthly fees of these can add up to a significant amount, which is why you should regularly audit your software stack and cut any tools that you no longer use or that you only use a fraction of their features.
Mailing Costs
It is also common for many small businesses to use traditional in-person certified mail services. The cost of this can add up quickly when you look at the postal rates as well as the time and cost of visiting the post office, but there are better solutions available. Certified Mail Labels allow you to create and print your own USPS Certified Mail labels online, allowing…
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When Will Your Vending Machine Start Printing Money? The ROI Secrets No One Tells You
Picture this: you’ve just bought your first vending machine. It’s shiny, freshly stocked, and perfectly placed in what you believe is a high-traffic location. You lock it up, walk away, and your imagination races. You see coins clinking, notes sliding in, and sales piling up while you sleep. Passive…
In this article, Cove Capital Investments, a leader in debt-free Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) real estate investments for 1031 exchange and direct cash investors, outlines why debt-free DST offerings continue to be the “gold standard” among investors seeking a risk mitigation strategy in an evolving real estate landscape.
As economic pressures of over-leverage continue to influence the performance of commercial properties across the country, many investors have looked to Cove Capital Investments and the DST sponsor firm’s investment thesis that prioritizes the potential for capital preservation and risk-mitigated investment offerings among all else.
Why Debt-Free Structures Appeal to Today’s Investors
There is no question that debt-free DST offerings have gained traction in current times for their ability to potentially remove multiple sources of uncertainty inherent in leveraged real estate programs. Most relatively, this shift has reshaped conversations within the 1031 exchange and DST marketplace.
Investors desiring risk-conscious real estate investing often seek offerings that reduce exposure to economic variables they cannot control. Leverage introduces multiple risk factors that can create challenges during an investment’s life cycle, such as mortgage maturities, refinancing deadlines, lender intervention, or cash-flow sweeps tied to lending covenants.
When interest rates rise or credit conditions tighten, these risks tend…
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If you’ve been involved in an accident, you might be unsure how to deal with the insurance company. Although personal injury claims often appear straightforward, a lot happens behind the scenes as insurers try to manage risks, control costs, and protect their bottom line.
When you understand how insurers evaluate…
NAEGELI Deposition & Trial in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Supporting Legal Professionals With Expert Services
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