Trade War With China Took Toll on U.S., but Not Big One

Economic data shows limited damage from tariffs, though it might take years to see full Impact

Americans might be getting lower-quality toys for the same price, despite a limited U.S.-China trade deal. WSJ toured the Chinese city that churns out Frozen and Peppa Pig gadgets to understand the impact of tariff threats. Photo: Ma Ka/Associates Press
By
Josh Zumbrun and
Anthony DeBarros

WASHINGTON—Farmers took a big hit. Importers of auto parts, furniture and machinery choked down punishing tariffs. Investment between the world’s two largest economies dropped.

Much of the U.S. economy is largely unscathed by two turbulent years of trade war with China, economic indicators show. Yet economic growth is trending near 2% in 2019, well short of the Trump administration’s goal of 3%.

The...