The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the U.S. job market has remained stalled since the Trump Administration imposed across-the-board tariffs, with the slowdown intensifying after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement.
“The manufacturing sector has lost jobs every month since April, including roughly 8,000 positions in December alone, while construction payrolls declined by 11,000 jobs,” the report says. “The December jobs report caps a year of sluggish job growth, with the fewest jobs added outside of a recession since 2003. Economists have consistently attributed job losses and rising costs to tariffs.”
Key takeaways:
· Manufacturing, construction and retail companies all shed jobs. Retailers cut 25,000 positions, a sign that holiday hiring has been weaker than previous years.
· December’s report caps a year of sluggish hiring, particularly after April’s “liberation day” tariff announcement by Trump.
· American manufacturers shed about 8,000 jobs in December, according to the Labor Department, marking the eighth straight month of losses since President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs in April.
· The retail industry shed 25,000 jobs, while manufacturing lost another 8,000 positions. Economists have attributed factory job losses to the Trump administration's tariff increases.
