Marketplace Fast-casual meal deals are upon us
25 snips
Feb 27, 2026 
Cora Lewis, AP business reporter covering rent buy-now-pay-later risks for renters. Megan McCarty Carino, Marketplace reporter on data center construction and its modest GDP effect. Heather Long, Navy Federal chief economist on consumer spending, hiring and economic uncertainty. Anna Swanson, NYT economics reporter on tariffs and trade policy. They discuss meal deals, tariff shifts, data center spending, rent BNPL and labor-investment hesitancy.
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Tariff Patchwork Raises Business Uncertainty
- Tariff policy has been volatile after the Supreme Court decision, with a new 10% global tariff replacing prior measures.
- That tariff expires in 150 days without congressional approval and the administration is planning additional tariffs this summer.
Monitor Consumer Spending Momentum
- Watch consumer spending as the main driver of near-term economic health.
- Heather Long notes tax refunds and lower mortgage rates are boosting 2026 but warns strains may return in late 2026 into 2027.
Wholesale Prices Signal Inflation Risk
- Producer prices were hotter than expected, signaling inflationary stickiness alongside slowdown risks.
- Companies have absorbed tariff-driven margin pressure so far but may pass costs to consumers if tariffs rise again.