The decrease in retail spending was driven by a steep decline in car sales, just two months after consumers rushed to make car purchases before President Donald Trump’s tariffs were scheduled to go into effect.

Retail sales fell sharply in May as consumers pulled back after a sharp increase in spending in March to get ahead of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on nearly all imports

U.S. retail sales dropped more than expected in May, weighed down by a decline in motor vehicle purchases as a rush to beat potential tariffs-related price hikes ebbed, but consumer spending remained supported by solid wage growth.