Bill Wood

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Bill Wood

Plastics News Economics Editor Bill Wood describes the current economic climate as “The Great Disturbance,” marked by sharp contrasts between soft and hard data. While consumer and business confidence has dropped since new tariffs were announced, key economic indicators like employment and inflation remain stable. A spike in imports distorted GDP data, as businesses rushed to buy goods ahead of the tariff implementation.

3 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Bill Wood

The odds for a recession are rising, but aren’t at 50-50 yet, according to Bill Wood, Plastics News’ economics editor. In the April Numbers That Matter editorial livestream, Wood discussed the impact of tariffs on the plastics industry, noting that current data — the declining dollar, rising gold prices, and volatile stock markets — are indicators of economic uncertainty. Recording below.

1 month ago | plasticsnews.com | Bill Wood

I will start this month's column with a forecast: The roller-coaster ride is not over. I have taken a hard look at the recent data, analyzed the predominant trends and can state with an elevated level of confidence that the market and economic gyrations resulting from the policies initiated by the Donald Trump administration will extend at least into the next few months. And there is a rising possibility the commotion will persist much longer than that.

1 month ago | plasticsnews.com | Bill Wood |Don Loepp

In the March 25 Numbers that Matter Live, Bill Wood discussed the growing U.S. trade deficit in goods — which jumped from $100 billion to over $150 billion in just one month — and its implications for the plastics industry. Recording below. Wood questioned the effectiveness of tariffs, including on key end markets for plastics including automotive, construction, packaging and appliances. “I don't see the economic argument for doing it this way.

1 month ago | plasticsnews.com | Bill Wood

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal: "None of us in the profession can say for sure what's going to happen."With the deadline for activation fast approaching, the dominant narrative in the media still pertains to tariffs. And this voluminous narrative shows no signs of cresting. I expressed my fundamental disdain for tariffs in my last column (Assessing the U.S. motor vehicle market amid potential tariffs, Feb.