US economy set for bigger tariff-induced hit, inflation headwinds: Goldman Sachs

Published 10/03/2025, 20:02
© Reuters

Investing.com -- The U.S. economy is set for weaker growth and higher inflation as the tariff impact is likely to be greater than previously feared, economists at Goldman Sachs said in a recent. 

"Larger tariffs are also likely to hit GDP harder. We have reduced our 2025 Q4/Q4 GDP growth forecast to 1.7%, from 2.2% previously," Goldman Sachs economists said.

Goldman Sachs updated its economic forecasts to reflect a new assumption of larger tariffs that raise the effective tariff rate by 10%, compared with a prior assumption of 4.3% .

The White House raised tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico but then paused tariffs on most imports from Canada and Mexico. But the economists said they now "expect larger tariffs than before, including further product-specific tariffs and a reciprocal tariff that goes beyond simple tariff differentials."

Still, the prospect of a recession is slim, according to the economists, forecasting the odds of a 12-month recession at just 20%, up 15% previously, as the White House has the option to pull back policy changes if downside risks begin to look more serious. 

The labor market, meanwhile, is also expected to feel the impact of tariffs, the economists adding, raising their U.S. unemployment rate forecast by 0.1% to 4.2%, citing recent business surveys.

"Business surveys show an intense focus on tariffs, which were mentioned 20 times in the ISM manufacturing report and 12 times in the non-manufacturing report," Goldman Sachs said.

The backdrop of slower growth, however, is likely to help curb inflation, with the economists now expecting that core PCE inflation will "peak at about 3% year-on-year, versus remaining roughly steady in the mid-2s previously."

The outlook for slower growth and firmer inflation has added fresh worries on whether the economy is headed for stagflation and is likely to continue to weigh on risk appetite. 

"U.S. tariffs are a self-inflicted stagflationary wound and at least until the unfolding trade war eases materially, a risk-off climate will persist," MRB Partners said in a recent note.

 

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.