The U.S. Economy Is Leaving Small Businesses Behind

The National Federation of Independent Business reported in May its lowest measure of economic expectations since Mr. Trump was elected to his second term. The Bank of America Institute reported that small-business profitability in April grew at its slowest pace in two years. Job openings at small companies have flatlined. On Sunday, Mr. Trump and Iranian officials announced a preliminary deal to end the war, though the economic consequences will probably linger for some time.

“It has been an incredible challenge for a small mom-and-pop operation to just simply keep the doors open,” said Bruce Jovaag, the owner of Norse Construction, a home remodeling company in Fenton, Mo., that he started in 2013. “It has been a fight like has never existed before.”

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Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/business/economy/small-business-strain-economy.html