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Bear Breakdown is an ongoing series where university experts share clear, thoughtful insights on today鈥檚 most talked-about issues. Each article connects headline news to real-world impact, helping readers better understand what鈥檚 happening and why it matters, while adding valuable context and sparking meaningful conversation for audiences of all backgrounds.

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John Horn, a professor of practice in economics at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, explains how tariff uncertainty and confusion is contributing to market volatility 鈥� and how this might impact long-term economic trends. (includes video)

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Global stock markets are volatile as a result of President Donald Trump鈥檚 widespread tariff announcements. The big question now: Is the United States headed for a recession?聽 The short answer from Virginia Tech economists and policy experts Jadrian Wooten, David Bieri, and Dimitris Tsarouhas is no, not yet, but we鈥檙e getting close.

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President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks, and parts such and engines and transmissions. Virginia Tech global finance expert David Bieri answered questions about potential positive and negative effects of the tariffs for the auto industry, auto workers, and consumers.

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To make sense of the new administration's recent tariff announcements and policy changes, Robert Johnson, the Brian and Jeannelle Brady Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, explains how tariffs affect global economies and what this means for U.S. engagement in global trade.

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This April people from all over the United States will travel to Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the 鈥渟hot heard round the world鈥� when the colony鈥檚 militia, known as minutemen, faced off against British troops at Concord鈥檚 North Bridge. Eliga Gould, a professor of history at the University of New Hampshire and an expert on the American Revolution, can offer insight into events leading up to the start of the Revolutionary War, the importance of the first battle, the iconic minuteman statue that stands at the site and other little-known historical facts.

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Virginia farms could face economic consequences because of tariffs imposed by the United States on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, and because of tariffs imposed on U.S. goods by those countries in return. Virginia Tech agricultural trade policy analyst Xi He shared an overview of the challenges that the commonwealth鈥檚 agricultural industry might have to anticipate and navigate.

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Three experts from UdeM analyze Canada-U.S.relations and the threats posed to our shared border in Donald Trump's second presidential term.

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On Tuesday, the U.S. doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, with the president urging Canada to become part of the United States.

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Fighting rising antisemitism in the U.S. will require a dramatic shift in civility and a renewed focus on teaching history and religion, according to Mark Oppenheimer, at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. 鈥淭he humanities don鈥檛 inoculate against hatred, but they give us the tools to fight it.鈥�

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In a reversal on Thursday, the administration announced on social media that it will suspend tariffs on most imports from Mexico until April 2. The reversal comes two days after tariffs of 25 percent... ...

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As international trade issues receive growing attention, it is important for Nebraskans to understand the ramifications for the state鈥檚 ag sector and overall economy. The Clayton Yeutter Institut

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From the U.S. halting military support to Ukraine聽to America鈥檚 role聽in the NATO, questions have arisen about how the United States鈥� role on the international stage might be changing. Virginia Tech foreign relations experts聽Dimitris Tsarouhas, visiting professor of political science, and聽Yannis Stivachtis, professor and director of the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies, share their insights on the country鈥檚 handling of foreign affairs.

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President Donald Trump鈥檚 first address to Congress during his second term celebrated his administration鈥檚 swift actions during its first six weeks. Virginia Tech political communications expert Cayce Myers shares his analysis of the significance of the president鈥檚 speech and the Democratic Party鈥檚 response.