Inflation takes a while. Shocks that affect consumer confidence can actually increase spending temporarily. What’s happening in the US right now is that people are spending more in order to get in all their long term purchases (car, tv, phone, computer, kids toys) before some combination of inflation and tariffs push the prices up. But this will only last as long as people’s excess of spending money lasts. Then consumer purchasing will, if nothing changes, recede massively.
Inflation takes a while. Shocks that affect consumer confidence can actually increase spending temporarily. What’s happening in the US right now is that people are spending more in order to get in all their long term purchases (car, tv, phone, computer, kids toys) before some combination of inflation and tariffs push the prices up. But this will only last as long as people’s excess of spending money lasts. Then consumer purchasing will, if nothing changes, recede massively.