U.S. economic growth contracted by 0.5% QoQ final in 1Q25 from 2.40% QoQ in 4Q24, as released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, and below market expectations of 0.2% QoQ expansion. It aligns with the slowdown in general inflation indicators, namely Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) to 2.30% YoY in March 2025 from 2.70% YoY in February 2025. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in March rose to 4.2% from 4.1% in February 2025.

U.S. Growth Domestic Product (GDP) has growth driven by personal consumption expenditure contribution, which grew only by 0.5% QoQ or 69.3% of total GDP. Based on value, personal consumption increased by 0.11% QoQ to US$18.6 trillion, supported by increased household service spending. Other expenditures, such as domestic investment, grew highest at 23.8% QoQ. In comparison, government spending slowed by 0.6% QoQ due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of maintaining efficient government operations overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In terms of net exports, the highest slowdown contracted by 29.07% QoQ due to rising import values as goods and services were not produced in the US (Figure 2).