U.S. manufacturing activity fell to its lowest level since the end of the Great Recession in September

U.S. Manufacturing
(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

The U.S. manufacturing industry is struggling.

The Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday that the industry's activity hit its lowest level in September since June 2009, when the country was finally emerging from the Great Recession, even though the U.S. economy continues to grow overall.

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There are reportedly probably a few reasons for the manufacturing's contraction, including tariffs resulting from the trade war with China, Boeing's struggles following the fatal crashes of its 737 MAX airplane, and the recent General Motors strike, but regardless, it's a tough time for the industry, which could ultimately affect the 2020 presidential election. Read more at The Wall Street Journal and the Institute for Supply Management. Tim O'Donnell

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.