The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has stated that the U.S. economy is showing signs of growth despite market uncertainties following President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs. Leavitt highlighted the addition of 228,000 jobs in March, citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, unemployment rose slightly from 4.1% to 4.2%, and government employment declined. The job growth was primarily in healthcare, social assistance, and transportation sectors. Leavitt attributed this to Trump’s policies aimed at bringing jobs back to the U.S., though some manufacturing companies have laid off workers due to these same policies. The BLS noted little change in construction, contrary to Leavitt’s claims. Trump’s tariff announcements have led to a stock market decline, exacerbated by China’s retaliatory tariffs. Economists warn of potential long-term negative impacts, with J.P. Morgan estimating a 60% chance of a recession. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed concerns about inflation risks.
— new from HuffPost
