US Adds 177,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Steady at 4.2%

The U.S. labor market showed unexpected strength in April, adding 177,000 jobs and keeping the unemployment rate steady at 4.2%, despite ongoing uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and warehousing led the hiring gains, while federal government employment declined due to efficiency reforms. Analysts noted the job growth surpassed expectations, raising hopes the economy could withstand tariff-related disruptions, though they cautioned that the full impact of recent trade policy changes may not be felt for several months. Average wage growth slowed slightly, and Trump responded by touting strong employment, lower consumer prices, and urging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Some experts remain wary about the forward outlook, pointing to a recent economic contraction and the potential for future slowdown if trade tensions persist. Markets responded positively to the jobs data, with gains in the dollar and major equity indices.