(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s economy saw a significant upward bounce during the past month, but analysts fear the volatility of the current international trade climate will mean a big drop is likely for the month — and months — ahead.
The latest Creighton University survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states during March showed the best overall numbers since July of 2022, but Creighton economist Ernie Goss says fears over a looming trade war cloud everything. More tariffs are expected to be announced by President Trump on Wednesday, which Goss says are “really, really causing issues for the manufacturers.”
The survey gauges the economy on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. The overall index for Iowa in March exceeded 56, a tremendous jump from around 44 in February. While it was a big leap upward, Goss says he expects we’ll have to pay for it in the next month when it comes down.
