[tim333]

It could actually make some sense - if Walmart spent their spare cash importing Chinese stuff before the tariffs rather than spending it on American stuff, I think that would have the effect of lowering GDP or domestic product. Presumably next month they'd stock up on American stuff which would cause a bounceback in the figures.

[iAMkenough]

Unfortunately there's more nuance, as some materials to produce American stuff can't be sourced domestically or imported affordably.

Realistically we'll see a few giants pivot to less quality materials, many large and medium size businesses reduce their offerings, and a large amount of small businesses dissolving or filling for bankruptcy after not being able to weather the abrupt, completely voluntary supply chain disruptions across various industries.

[Aloisius]

Domestic investment spending, including retail inventory, was up quite a bit, so that seems unlikely.

What dropped like a rock was consumer spending growth.