U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Will Be Show” yesterday (Friday) that he is confident the U.S. economy can grow at least 3.5% in 2026.
Economists in a recent survey conducted by the National Association for Business Economics acknowledged that although U.S. economic growth will rise slightly in 2026, job growth will remain weak and the Federal Reserve will likely slow the pace of new interest rate cuts.
According to the survey, average growth expectations reached 2%, compared to 1.8% in the previous survey in October last year, but the growth rate in June last year was only 1.3%.
Participants almost unanimously agreed that new tariffs on imports imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration will reduce growth by at least a quarter of a percentage point, although expectations were raised that increased consumer spending and business investment would support stronger growth.
slow growth
U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter of 2025 amid disruptions from the government shutdown and falling consumer spending, but tax cuts and investment in artificial intelligence are expected to support economic activity in 2026.
Preliminary estimates from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis showed yesterday (Friday) that gross domestic product will grow at an annual rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pessen said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show” yesterday (Friday) that he believes the U.S. economy can grow at least 3.5% in 2026.
Economists in a recent survey conducted by the National Association for Business Economics acknowledged that while U.S. economic growth will pick up slightly in 2026, job growth will remain weak and the Federal Reserve will likely slow down its rate cuts.
The survey showed average growth forecasts rose to 2%, up from 1.8% in the previous survey conducted in October. Meanwhile, the growth rate in June last year was just 1.3%.
The forecast said growth would be supported by increased consumer spending and business investment, but participants almost unanimously agreed that new import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration would reduce growth by at least a quarter of a percentage point.
slowing growth
U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter of 2025 amid disruptions from the government shutdown and falling consumer spending, but tax cuts and investment in artificial intelligence are expected to support economic activity in 2026.
The latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, released yesterday (Friday), show that GDP will grow at an annual rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
