Rafael Nam

The big unknown in Wall Street is what kind of impact tariffs will ultimately have. One big fear is that they will raise prices across the board as imports become more expensive. So investors will be keen to see the latest consumer inflation data out on Tuesday, which may already start to show some of the early effects from the tariffs.

The other big fear is that consumers will start spending less as a result of higher prices and the general uncertainty about the economy. This week we'll get retail sales numbers on Thursday, while retail giant Walmart will report earnings on the same day. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

The other big fear is that consumers will start spending less as a result of higher prices and the general uncertainty about the economy. This week we'll get retail sales numbers on Thursday, while retail giant Walmart will report earnings on the same day. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

Security is heightened in central Ho Chi Minh City ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Fifty years ago, North Vietnamese troops stormed the headquarters of the South Vietnam's government, ending the roughly 20-year war that cost millions of Vietnamese lives.

Security is heightened in central Ho Chi Minh City ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Fifty years ago, North Vietnamese troops stormed the headquarters of the South Vietnam's government, ending the roughly 20-year war that cost millions of Vietnamese lives.

In the run-up to the main event on April 30, there have been a series of gatherings and rehearsals, the last one being held on Sunday. Day of festivities will feature a military parade, including a flyover by the Vietnamese Air Force. In total, 13,000 people are taking part in the event. For NPR News, I'm Nafam in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the run-up to the main event on April 30, there have been a series of gatherings and rehearsals, the last one being held on Sunday. Day of festivities will feature a military parade, including a flyover by the Vietnamese Air Force. In total, 13,000 people are taking part in the event. For NPR News, I'm Nafam in Ho Chi Minh City.

Stocks may have gained, but there really wasn't much conviction to the moves. Investors are still hoping to see some kind of de-escalation in the trade war. Earlier in the day, the IMF cut its growth forecast for the global economy to 2.8%, down from the 3.3% it had projected in January. And now there are also concerns as Trump continues to attack the Fed and Jerome Powell.

Stocks may have gained, but there really wasn't much conviction to the moves. Investors are still hoping to see some kind of de-escalation in the trade war. Earlier in the day, the IMF cut its growth forecast for the global economy to 2.8%, down from the 3.3% it had projected in January. And now there are also concerns as Trump continues to attack the Fed and Jerome Powell.

The president wants the Fed to cut interest rates and he's threatening to fire Powell. But there are big questions about whether Trump actually has the power to do that. So despite the gains, sentiment remains fragile. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

The president wants the Fed to cut interest rates and he's threatening to fire Powell. But there are big questions about whether Trump actually has the power to do that. So despite the gains, sentiment remains fragile. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

One of the big consequences of tariffs is that they're very likely to make things much more expensive. But these tariffs come at a time when the Federal Reserve is still trying to bring down inflation. We'll get the latest snapshot on inflation on Thursday, a day after President Trump's reciprocal tariffs are set to kick in.

One of the big consequences of tariffs is that they're very likely to make things much more expensive. But these tariffs come at a time when the Federal Reserve is still trying to bring down inflation. We'll get the latest snapshot on inflation on Thursday, a day after President Trump's reciprocal tariffs are set to kick in.

Too soon to reflect the tariff's full impact, but an important number nonetheless. And although tariffs remain the main driver of markets, investors will also pay attention to the start of the earnings season. JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo are reporting results on Friday. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

Too soon to reflect the tariff's full impact, but an important number nonetheless. And although tariffs remain the main driver of markets, investors will also pay attention to the start of the earnings season. JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo are reporting results on Friday. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

At the start of 2025, investors were hoping that President Trump's return to the White House would lead to lower taxes and less regulation. Instead, his economic policies so far have centered on tariffs. Trump plans to unveil another round of global tariffs next week. That has investors getting concerned about the U.S.

At the start of 2025, investors were hoping that President Trump's return to the White House would lead to lower taxes and less regulation. Instead, his economic policies so far have centered on tariffs. Trump plans to unveil another round of global tariffs next week. That has investors getting concerned about the U.S.

economy, with consumer confidence dropping and households bearing back their spending. All of this at a time when inflation remains a little high. All three major indexes tumbled on Friday and are headed for a second consecutive monthly fall. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

economy, with consumer confidence dropping and households bearing back their spending. All of this at a time when inflation remains a little high. All three major indexes tumbled on Friday and are headed for a second consecutive monthly fall. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

Investors have long been uneasy about the prospect of tariffs. Many hope that President Trump is just using them as leverage. But nobody really knows. So there'll be a lot of nerves ahead of Tuesday when Trump's threatened tariffs on the country's neighbors are set to take effect. Trump also says he wants to impose additional tariffs on China.