Strong Economic Growth Boosts U.S. in Trade Battles

China, Europe and Mexico’s economies showed fresh signs of stumbling Tuesday while the U.S. powered ahead, boosting Washington’s hand as it jockeys with them over trade. U.S. economic reports Tuesday showed wages and salaries grew in the second quarter at their fastest pace in nearly a decade while consumption in June also registered solid growth. Meantime, overall U.S. economic output expanded at a 4.1% annual rate in the quarter, its best three-month increase since 2014. Read more here.