Business and Economic News

Minnesota exports dropped in first quarter of 2025; state officials point to trade uncertainty
State officials say exports of goods from Minnesota to other countries dropped 6 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2024. They attribute that — at least in part — to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
Minneapolis, St. Paul schools work to close deficits. St. Paul to ask voters for more money
School district leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul this week pushed ahead on plans to close budget gaps for the next school year. St. Paul officials also said they’d ask city voters this fall to approve additional funding in a referendum.
Minnesota's clean energy industry fretting about possible rollback of tax credits
The clean energy tax credits have been used to defray the cost to build new solar and wind projects, help consumers install rooftop solar or weatherize their homes and encourage companies to invest in clean energy manufacturing. President Trump has called those policies a “green new scam.”
The closures will affect three plants in Minnesota and are expected to leave 145 workers without a job.
Pampers maker Procter & Gamble to cut up to 7,000 jobs under tariff, consumer uncertainty pressure
Procter & Gamble will cut up to 7,000 jobs, or approximately 6 percent of its global workforce, over the next two years as the maker of Tide detergent and Pampers diapers wrestles with tariff-related costs and customers who have grown anxious about the economy.
With steel tariffs doubling today, a North Carolina manufacturer wonders how to compete
President Trump is doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 percent. It’s designed to protect domestic steel and aluminum workers, but critics say it will raise prices for those that use the metals.