'Trump heralds unexpected jobs figures, asserting "just getting started" amidst trade tariff challenges
The president expressed enthusiasm over the latest employment data and reiterated his request for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
TroibNews 
U.S. employers added 177,000 jobs in April, exceeding expectations and strengthening President Donald Trump’s position that the economy is reacting positively to his policies, even amid concerns about a potential slowdown linked to tariffs.
The Labor Department’s report, released on Friday, revealed that the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 percent, close to historic lows, and that average hourly earnings increased by 0.2 percent to just over $36.
Following the jobs report, Trump shared on his social media platform that employment is “strong” and highlighted a recent drop in the prices of eggs and gasoline. He also urged Federal Reserve officials, who are set to meet next week to discuss interest rates, to reduce borrowing costs.
“We’re only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!!” Trump stated.
Economists and business leaders have cautionary voices regarding the potential impact of the president’s tariff strategies on both the job market and the broader economy if new trade deals and reductions in high tariffs on imports are not swiftly achieved. Business imports surged in the first quarter as companies attempted to beat Trump’s tariff implementations, which led to negative economic growth. Economic surveys have also suggested that Trump’s trade and immigration policies might ultimately hinder hiring.
“It’s kind of like a ticking time bomb,” Skanda Amarnath, an economist and the executive director of the employee advocacy group Employ America, remarked before the jobs report was published. “I hope the bomb doesn’t go off, but odds are we’re going to see signs of deceleration.”
Executives from major U.S. companies, as indicated by a survey from the Business Roundtable, expressed that they are less inclined to increase their workforce over the next six months. The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly index, a reliable indicator for manufacturing employment, has remained in contraction territory since February. Moreover, the Labor Department reported a decrease in job openings to a post-2020 low in March, and the National Federation of Independent Business’s recent survey indicated that a larger number of small firms are downsizing rather than expanding.
Through the first four months of the year, employers have announced layoffs affecting over 600,000 positions, according to the job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. This statistic marks the highest total for this period since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy in early 2020. Nela Richardson, the chief economist for payroll processing firm ADP, noted that the recent slowdown in private-sector hiring reflects employers' unease as they navigate policy and consumer uncertainty alongside a trend of mostly positive economic data.
Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned against relying too heavily on surveys as a true measure of economic health, asserting that indicators of the labor market and consumer spending point to a stable economy. Despite the Commerce Department’s initial estimate indicating economic contraction in the first quarter, both business investment and personal spending have seen impressive increases.
Initially, major stock indexes rose after the positive jobs report, and potential signs of progress in trade discussions with China have eased concerns regarding the prolonged trade war.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that the jobs report reflects “exactly what we want to see.”
“Wages are continuing to rise and labor force participation is increasing,” she added. “More winning is on the way!”
The Labor Department did revise March’s previously celebrated employment report down by 43,000 positions to a total of 185,000. Additionally, the count of Americans unemployed for over 27 weeks increased by 179,000 to 1.7 million.
Nevertheless, there were few indicators of economic slowdown. Non-farm payrolls were propelled by hiring in fields such as health care, transportation, and warehousing. Overall, the employment growth exceeded the 12-month average of 152,000 jobs.
“Another stronger-than-expected jobs report is encouraging, although definitely not top of mind considering the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and global trade,” Joe Gaffoglio, CEO and president at Mutual Of America Capital Management, commented. “While the labor market continues to be a bright spot, that could change quickly if the imposition of tariffs leads to disruptions in supply chains and global trade.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The Labor Department’s report, released on Friday, revealed that the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 percent, close to historic lows, and that average hourly earnings increased by 0.2 percent to just over $36.
Following the jobs report, Trump shared on his social media platform that employment is “strong” and highlighted a recent drop in the prices of eggs and gasoline. He also urged Federal Reserve officials, who are set to meet next week to discuss interest rates, to reduce borrowing costs.
“We’re only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!!” Trump stated.
Economists and business leaders have cautionary voices regarding the potential impact of the president’s tariff strategies on both the job market and the broader economy if new trade deals and reductions in high tariffs on imports are not swiftly achieved. Business imports surged in the first quarter as companies attempted to beat Trump’s tariff implementations, which led to negative economic growth. Economic surveys have also suggested that Trump’s trade and immigration policies might ultimately hinder hiring.
“It’s kind of like a ticking time bomb,” Skanda Amarnath, an economist and the executive director of the employee advocacy group Employ America, remarked before the jobs report was published. “I hope the bomb doesn’t go off, but odds are we’re going to see signs of deceleration.”
Executives from major U.S. companies, as indicated by a survey from the Business Roundtable, expressed that they are less inclined to increase their workforce over the next six months. The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly index, a reliable indicator for manufacturing employment, has remained in contraction territory since February. Moreover, the Labor Department reported a decrease in job openings to a post-2020 low in March, and the National Federation of Independent Business’s recent survey indicated that a larger number of small firms are downsizing rather than expanding.
Through the first four months of the year, employers have announced layoffs affecting over 600,000 positions, according to the job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. This statistic marks the highest total for this period since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy in early 2020. Nela Richardson, the chief economist for payroll processing firm ADP, noted that the recent slowdown in private-sector hiring reflects employers' unease as they navigate policy and consumer uncertainty alongside a trend of mostly positive economic data.
Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned against relying too heavily on surveys as a true measure of economic health, asserting that indicators of the labor market and consumer spending point to a stable economy. Despite the Commerce Department’s initial estimate indicating economic contraction in the first quarter, both business investment and personal spending have seen impressive increases.
Initially, major stock indexes rose after the positive jobs report, and potential signs of progress in trade discussions with China have eased concerns regarding the prolonged trade war.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that the jobs report reflects “exactly what we want to see.”
“Wages are continuing to rise and labor force participation is increasing,” she added. “More winning is on the way!”
The Labor Department did revise March’s previously celebrated employment report down by 43,000 positions to a total of 185,000. Additionally, the count of Americans unemployed for over 27 weeks increased by 179,000 to 1.7 million.
Nevertheless, there were few indicators of economic slowdown. Non-farm payrolls were propelled by hiring in fields such as health care, transportation, and warehousing. Overall, the employment growth exceeded the 12-month average of 152,000 jobs.
“Another stronger-than-expected jobs report is encouraging, although definitely not top of mind considering the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and global trade,” Joe Gaffoglio, CEO and president at Mutual Of America Capital Management, commented. “While the labor market continues to be a bright spot, that could change quickly if the imposition of tariffs leads to disruptions in supply chains and global trade.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
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