U.S. Tariff Delay, Testing Money Taboos, Argentina Debt: Eco Day

(Bloomberg) -- Welcome to Monday, Americas. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help you start the day:

• The U.S. is delaying collecting some tariff payments, in a move to free up cash for struggling companies while not lifting punitive measures against China and others
• Just as the slow and long U.S. expansion broke with conventions pertaining to length and characteristics -- such as inflation and labor dynamics -- the economic downturn currently underway looks to be breaking rules (and speed limits), Bloomberg Economics says
• Federal Reserve officials are entering a two-week quiet period during which their staffs will prepare them for their upcoming policy meeting. This time around, the routine will be a little different than usual
• Democratic leaders and the White House are close to an agreement for as much as $450 billion to top a loan program aimed at helping small businesses stay afloat and provide funds for hospitals and coronavirus testing
• A Republican and a Democrat in the Senate are proposing a $500 billion fund for state and local governments as part of the next comprehensive rescue package from Congress, to aid parts of the country reeling from the coronavirus pandemic
• The case of a restaurant closure shows the chain reaction on the economy
• The coronavirus crisis is testing the taboo of monetary financing
• Argentina’s proposal for more than $40 billion in debt relief got an early thumbs-down from investors
• The Chinese economy may be getting back to work before others, but Bloomberg Economics sees the country facing a demand shock

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