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Atlas is a peaceful bunch.  We don’t like wars, including those revolving around trade.  But everywhere one looks it seems like nations are turning their backs to one another.  Instead of finding new ways to work together and prosper, countries are looking for new barriers.  This is not just a recent phenomenon.  Brexit started off two years ago as the U.K.

Costs rose at an accelerating pace for producers and wholesalers in May 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Producer Price Index.  After rising just 0.1 percent in April, this price proxy jumped 0.5 percent.  Compared to a year ago, this indicator is 3.1 percent higher, marking the fast year-over-year uptick since January 2012 when it reached the same level. <

Consumers are paying more for goods and services according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI).  In May 2018, this measure of inflation rose 0.2 percent for a second consecutive period .  Compared to a year earlier, CPI gained 2.8 percent, increasing at the fastest pace in six years.

International trade in goods and services improved in April 2018 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  They estimate the trading deficit shrank $1.0 billion to $46.2 billion after March’s tally was revised from the original shortfall of $49.0 billion.  Year-to-date, America’s trade deficit is up 11.5 percent or $20.8 billion to $201.7 billion.