US Job Growth Plummets in July
Labor Market Shows Unexpected Weakness Amid Trade Tensions
The United States labor market experienced a significant slowdown in July, creating far fewer jobs than anticipated and revising prior months’ figures downward, sparking concern as economic headwinds intensify.
July Job Creation Disappoints
The nation’s economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, a stark contrast to expectations. This figure was met with surprise, even from President Donald Trump, who described the report as “A shock!
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The Jobs Report is a shock!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
Previous Figures Heavily Downgraded
Adding to the concern, the Ministry of Labor significantly reduced the job creation numbers for May and June. The revised figures for May and June now stand at a mere 19,000 and 14,000 jobs respectively, marking the lowest monthly gains since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic Outlook Uncertain
This disappointing employment data emerges as experts predict a broader economic slowdown, partly attributed to the ongoing trade policies enacted by Donald Trump. The weakening job market could signal broader economic vulnerabilities. For context, the unemployment rate in the Eurozone remained stable at 6.4% in June, according to Eurostat (Eurostat, July 2025).
Impact of Trade Policies Feared
The report’s findings underscore growing anxieties about the impact of international trade disputes on domestic job growth. The decrease in job creation rates suggests businesses may be hesitant to expand their workforces amidst trade uncertainty.
