Main Street optimism dropped as U.S.-China trade tensions ramped up

According to data from NFIB and a chart by Axios Visuals, small business optimism dropped for the fourth consecutive month in April. This resulted in the lowest number of Main Street businesses planning to invest in expanding their operations since 2020. This decline is significant as it occurred before the easing of the trade war with China, highlighting the economic dangers linked to high tariffs and general uncertainty. Observers note that only a small percentage of small businesses export their products, indicating the widespread impact of the current economic conditions.