Tariff-driven panic buying distorts Q2 2025 GDP report

The Commerce Department's advance estimate for Q2 2025 GDP showed apparent growth driven by consumers and businesses rushing to stockpile goods before tariff increases took full effect. Economists warned the data masked underlying weakness, with front-loaded imports masking demand collapse and inventory buildup likely to reverse in Q3. The Bureau of Economic Analysis noted the distortion but Trump administration officials promoted the headline number.