US manufacturers hurt by Trump trade war; pound near three-year high against dollar – as it happened
by Graeme Wearden from on (#6XP7X)
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as US factory output falls again in May
Today's UK PMI report (see 9.52am) also shows that business confidence at British factories remained subdued' last month.
Manufacturers continued to raise concerns that turbulent trade conditions, the weak economic outlook and rising cost burdens will make market conditions tough during the year ahead.
Weak global market conditions, trade uncertainty, low customer confidence and cost pressures resulting from recent increases to UK employer NICs and minimum wages also contributed to clients' reluctance to spend. That said, a recent bout of good weather did boost sales at some manufacturers.
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