Nigeria, March 18 -- This report is from today's TNC's Daily Open, our international markets update. TNC Daily Open keeps investors informed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are.

The Wall Street cliche "never bet against the American consumer" is still somewhat valid. Despite being lower than anticipated, February's retail sales showed growth. For the skeptics, that would be like frantically looking for a bright side. It could be. However, the gloomy clouds are more menacing than usual because of the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

According to polls like the University of Michigan's, tariffs are likely to be passed on to the customer as a tax on imported goods, affecting consumer mood. Trump's tariffs...