Axios

President-elect Trump made instituting sweeping tariffs one of the cornerstone pledges of his 2024 campaign, a move experts warn could lead to price hikes for many everyday goods.

Why it matters: Voters' frustration with the economy pushed many to support Trump, but experts warn levying tariffs could reignite inflation and even spark a trade war.

President-elect Trump on Saturday threatened to impose 100% tariffs against emerging markets that try to shift away from the U.S. dollar in international trade.

Why it matters: The threat against the BRICS nations (primarily Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is the latest escalation in Trump's campaign to use the specter of tariffs to achieve policy goals.

Retailers small and large are urging their customers to buy their merchandise before President-elect Trump's tariff plans become a reality.

Why it matters: As Americans gear up for the holiday shopping season, the looming threat of tariffs has imbued their to-buy lists with a sense of urgency. Higher tariffs typically mean higher prices for consumers.

Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun paid $6.2 million for a banana taped to a wall — aka "Comedian," by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan — and then ate it during a press conference in Hong Kong on Friday.

Why it matters: Arguably, it doesn't. But it's a bit of a metaphor for our times.

Retailers are switching gears from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and unveiling new deals to encourage consumers to keep shopping.

Why it matters: The highly competitive holiday shopping season can be make-or-break for retailers and inflation-weary consumers are searching for bargains and discounts.

The cryptocurrency industry spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect a pro-crypto Washington. Now it wants results.

Why it matters: Crypto interests want to see a much lighter touch from the Trump administration's regulators, and they're also planning to push Congress for a new framework that would help crypto become a bigger part of the financial system.

New U.S. business applications hit a high water mark in 2023, with notable hot spots in the Southeast and Mountain West.

Why it matters: Small businesses are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, employing tens of millions of Americans.

Black Friday has officially arrived with extended store hours and new deals.

Why it matters: A record 183.4 million shoppers are expected to shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday with Black Friday projected to be the busiest day, according to the NRF survey, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey.

Black Friday in-store shopping is making a comeback this year and even Swifties are fueling the trend.

The big picture: Five years after COVID changed the shopping holiday, retailers are returning with in-store deals to entice customers.