Storyline: U.S. consumer sentiment plummeted in March to its lowest level since June 2022, fueled by escalating inflation fears and anxieties over U.S. tariff policies, according to a U.S. survey report released on Friday. The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its Consumer Sentiment Index registered a notable drop to 50.8 in April, down from 57.0 in March and missing market forecasts of 54.0. This result marks the fourth consecutive monthly decline. The report found the slump was pervasive across age, income, education, geographic region, and political party affiliation. Meanwhile, the consumers' 12-month inflation expectations surged to 6.7 percent, a 40-year high since 1981. The survey report suggests that the decline in consumer confidence and the rise in inflation expectations are largely driven by concerns over U.S. tariff policies and their potential to exacerbate global trade tensions and drive up prices. U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a so-called "reciprocal tariff" last week, imposing a 10-percent baseline levy on all imports and higher rates on certain trading partners. The tariffs have caused global stock markets to tumble and sparked widespread concerns. Despite Trump's announcement on Wednesday of a temporary 90-day pause, the 10-percent tariffs remain, and so do the industry concerns about the unpredictability and uncertainty of his policies. The U.S. Department of Treasury reported Thursday a deficit exceeding 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars for the first half of fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 - March 2025), the second largest half-year deficit in U.S. history. The highest record was 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars in the first half of fiscal year of 2021. Shotlist: Los Angeles, California, USA - April 7, 2025: 1. Various of residents walking with shopping carts at supermarket parking lot, loading groceries onto cars Miami, USA - April 7, 2025: 2. Various of employees putting meat products on refrigerator shelves 3. Various of fruit, vegetables New York City, USA - April 7, 2025: 4. Various of shoppers at street stand 5. Subway entrance, pedestrians FILE: New York City, USA - October 2024: 6. Traffic 7. Various of Brooklyn Bridge, U.S. national flag 8. City view FILE: Washington D.C., USA - October 2024: 9. Various of U.S. Department of the Treasury 10. Various of White House 11. Various of Capitol building FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024: 12. Various of port scene, Statue of Liberty. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]