US retail sales showed surprising strength during the back-to-school season – a sign that Trump’s tariffs haven’t yet cowed shoppers as the Federal Reserve weighs a decision on cutting rates.Excluding cars, retail sales rose 0.7% in August from the previous month– far above estimates of a 0.4% rise, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Overall retail sales increased 0.6%.The upbeat report defied projections of a spending slump last month as hiring slowed and inflation picked up. Consumers have continued to ...