US Job Growth Slows Amid Tariff Uncertainty

New labor statistics show the US added 177,000 jobs in April—a dip from previous months, though still above the level needed to absorb new entrants. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.2%, but signs of stress are rising as President Trump’s aggressive tariffs drive uncertainty across industries. Businesses worry about cost hikes and retaliatory measures. Major firms, such as General Motors, slashed profit forecasts, citing trade policy instability. Economists caution that while the job market is not collapsing, the latest data is “backward-looking,” and prolonged tariff battles could slow hiring further or spark layoffs. The tension underscores how trade disputes can dent confidence, with employers pausing expansions until they see clarity.