Scott Horsley

A traffic jam in a snowstorm — that's how people describe the scene at West Coast ports, where cargo ships are stacking up. This shipping bottleneck could have ripple effects across the U.S.

The U.S. is slapping new tariffs on French handbags, cognac and other products. The import taxes are the latest weapons in trans-Atlantic trade disputes involving Internet companies and jet makers.

2021 could be a year of healing for both people and the economy. As the calendar turns over a new year, we'll look back at how the economy fared in 2020 and at what lies ahead.

President Trump's call to boost pandemic relief payments to $2,000 remains stuck in the Senate. Economists say there are more targeted ways to provide help to the people who need it most.

President Trump signed a pandemic relief bill that provides hundreds of billions of dollars in aid for struggling families and businesses. But his delay in signing may cost jobless workers some help.

President Trump signed the coronavirus relief aid and government spending package after demanding last-minute changes that put the deal in limbo. Congress passed the legislation last week.

Demand for bus travel has dropped sharply during the pandemic, jeopardizing an industry that ordinarily serves many lower-income travelers.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on airlines has been well-documented. The fallout for bus service has been less visible but equally severe.

The final details of a new coronavirus relief deal are still being ironed out, but the package is likely to include direct payments for many Americans and short-term help for the unemployed.

The Federal Reserve says economic growth could be stronger than previously expected next year. But the central bank cautions that struggling families and businesses will need help until then.

The Federal Reserve has issued new economic forecasts, acknowledging the outlook remains uncertain. COVID-19 vaccines offer hope for a turnaround in 2021, but the next few months could be challenging.

A standoff over pandemic-related liability protections for businesses has emerged as one of the biggest sticking points holding up the much-needed coronavirus relief bill.

New unemployment claims jumped sharply last week, as a surge in coronavirus cases put new stress on the U.S. economy. The rise in unemployment comes as various relief programs are about to expire.

Jobless claims rose sharply last week as critical relief programs, including expanded jobless benefits, are due to expire the day after Christmas.

As Congress argues over what should go in the next coronavirus relief aid, cash from the government is popular with many. But economists say it's not the best way to prop up a sagging economy.

China's trade surplus ballooned last month to a record $75 billion. Much of the increase came from a surge in exports to the United States.

China's trade surplus hit a record in November as exports to the U.S. soared by 46%. U.S. exports to China are also growing, but not as quickly.

Job growth in the U.S. slowed down sharply in November. The weaker-than-expected job gains could give fresh urgency to congressional negotiations over a new pandemic relief bill.

U.S. employers added just 245,000 jobs last month as the runaway pandemic continued to weigh on hiring. The unemployment rate fell to 6.7% from 6.9% in October.

The Labor Department likely will report Friday a sharp slowdown in job growth in November as a surge in coronavirus cases weighs on many businesses.