The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, May 2, edition that McDonald's experienced an unexpected decline in first quarter global comparable sales, attributed to reduced demand from financially strained diners in the U.S. and Europe amid tariff uncertainties. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that chief executive officer Chris Kempczinski noted that lower- and middle-income customer visits fell significantly. This trend reflects a broader pattern of Americans dining out less due to inflation and economic concerns. Tariff fluctuations by the Trump administration have increased financial pressures and disrupted supply chains. The U.S. economy contracted for the first time in three years in the first quarter, increasing the likelihood of a recession in 2025. "Less affluent consumers are most vulnerable to the impact of inflation, and one of the first areas where they'll cut back is dining out," EMarketer analyst Sky Canaves said. Global comparable sales fell 1 per cent, while analysts were expecting a 0.95-per-cent rise. In the U.S., McDonald's biggest market, it slumped 3.6 per cent, steeper than a 0.5-per-cent drop estimated by analysts. It was the biggest drop since the pandemic in 2020.