The Center Square) – The U.S. added 228,000 jobs in March, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday, nearly double what was forecast.
Employment gains occurred in the health care, transportation, warehousing and retail trade industries, according to the Labor department.
The overall gains come despite significant layoffs in the federal government under the Trump administration.
“March’s incredibly strong jobs report reflects President Trump’s efforts to reshape and rebuild our economy to put the American Worker First, with over 13,000 construction jobs added,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “Additionally, growth far exceeded expectations at 228,000 jobs created, demonstrating strong expansion that will only continue when jobs that were previously shipped overseas are brought back to the United States.”
President Donald Trump this week unveiled a series of reciprocal tariffs on countries that have for years been placing tariffs on U.S. imports. While the markets reacted negatively to the tariffs and many economists say they will increase costs for U.S. consumers, Trump says his tariff plan will help bring back manufacturing and other jobs to the country.
“Overall, the economy is already responding positively to President Trump’s America First agenda,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “Moving forward, the Labor Department will continue fighting to support workers, including those entering the job market, to set up all hardworking Americans with an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”
