/tags/department-of-commerce department of commerce en-US Copyright Wed, 15 Apr 2020 14:40:00 GMT /news-partners/2020-04-15/retail-spending-just-fell-off-a-cliff Americans are still spending a fair amount on food and online deliveries, but the shutdowns of stores, malls and restaurants led to a record 8.7% sales drop in March. Wed, 15 Apr 2020 14:40:00 GMT /news-partners/2020-04-15/retail-spending-just-fell-off-a-cliff Alina Selyukh /news-partners/2020-01-30/u-s-economic-growth-slowed-in-2019-to-2-3 The Commerce Department says the U.S. economy grew 2.3% last year. That's slower than the previous year and well below the Trump administration's forecast. Thu, 30 Jan 2020 14:07:00 GMT /news-partners/2020-01-30/u-s-economic-growth-slowed-in-2019-to-2-3 Scott Horsley /news-partners/2019-08-19/trump-dismisses-recession-fears-saying-fed-must-help-the-economy The Trump administration pushed back hard against warnings of an economic slowdown. But the president is also calling on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates again to help boost growth. Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:49:00 GMT /news-partners/2019-08-19/trump-dismisses-recession-fears-saying-fed-must-help-the-economy Scott Horsley /news-partners/2019-02-27/not-in-compliance-wilbur-ross-the-trump-official-who-keeps-watchdogs-up-at-night In an extremely rare rebuke, a government ethics watchdog refused to certify Ross' recent financial disclosure. But he's still in office even as other Trump officials have resigned for ethical lapses. Wed, 27 Feb 2019 11:30:00 GMT /news-partners/2019-02-27/not-in-compliance-wilbur-ross-the-trump-official-who-keeps-watchdogs-up-at-night Peter Overby, Carrie Levine /news-partners/2019-02-24/trump-suspends-china-tariff-hike-citing-progress-in-trade-talks President Trump has suspended a planned increase in tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese imports, after what he called "very productive" trade talks in Washington this weekend. Sun, 24 Feb 2019 23:48:04 GMT /news-partners/2019-02-24/trump-suspends-china-tariff-hike-citing-progress-in-trade-talks Scott Horsley /news-partners/2018-10-11/commerce-secretary-now-recalls-discussing-citizenship-question-with-steve-bannon Wilbur Ross now says he spoke with the former White House adviser and the U.S. Attorney General months before a 2020 census citizenship question request became public, according to a court document. Thu, 11 Oct 2018 20:12:00 GMT /news-partners/2018-10-11/commerce-secretary-now-recalls-discussing-citizenship-question-with-steve-bannon Hansi Lo Wang /news-partners/2018-03-26/2020-census-will-ask-about-respondents-citizenship-status Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the question will help the Justice Department enforce the Voting Rights Act. Opponents say the question will discourage immigrants from being counted. Tue, 27 Mar 2018 03:25:00 GMT /news-partners/2018-03-26/2020-census-will-ask-about-respondents-citizenship-status Richard Gonzales /breaking-news/2017-02-28/wilbur-ross-is-confirmed-as-commerce-secretary Ross, 79, made his fortune buying distressed companies and restoring them to health. Criticized by some as a "vulture capitalist," he received the support of the United Steelworkers union. Tue, 28 Feb 2017 07:37:00 GMT /breaking-news/2017-02-28/wilbur-ross-is-confirmed-as-commerce-secretary Mark Katkov