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Government Shutdown Disrupts Economic Data, Risks Missteps

10/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The month-long U.S. government shutdown has halted the collection of crucial economic data.
Tariffs are at historic highs.
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are unpaid.
Economists struggle to assess job market trends as reliable data are unavailable and private data suggest a slowdown, increasing the risk of missteps.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the lack of reliable data complicates decision-making on interest rates.

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Story summary

The month-long U.S. government shutdown has halted the collection of crucial economic data.
Tariffs are at historic highs.
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are unpaid.
Economists struggle to assess job market trends as reliable data are unavailable and private data suggest a slowdown, increasing the risk of missteps.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the lack of reliable data complicates decision-making on interest rates.