U.S. bankruptcies hit a 15-year high as Trump tariffs and high rates squeeze companies
NEW YORK, December 29, 2025, 09:16 ET U.S. corporate bankruptcies have climbed to a 15-year high in 2025, with at least 717 companies filing through November as tariffs and higher borrowing costs strained cash flow and demand. The Washington Post+1 The jump matters because it is showing up across a wide range of industries, rather than concentrating in one troubled sector, and it is starting to hit smaller firms and households as well. That mix can pressure jobs, suppliers and lenders as the year closes. The Washington Post+1 Companies are dealing with higher interest expenses and tariff-related cost shocks at