Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in December since US tariffs were imposed in April

consumers There was less confidence about the economy in December as Americans worried about higher prices and the impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

The Conference Board said Tuesday its consumer confidence index fell 3.8 points to 89.1 in December from November’s revised reading of 92.9. That’s close to the 85.7 reading in April, when Trump imposed his own import taxes on US trading partners.

A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business conditions and the job market held steady at 70.7, but still well below 80, which could signal a recession to come. This was the 11th consecutive month that the reading age remained below 80.

Consumers’ assessment of their current economic situation fell 9.5 points to 116.8.

Written responses to the survey revealed that prices and inflation, along with tariffs, remain consumers’ biggest concerns.