U.S. job growth slows sharply in July, pushing up jobless rate

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. job growth slowed sharply in July, with only 73,000 nonfarm jobs added -- 31,000 fewer than economists had forecast, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The weaker-than-expected hiring pushed the unemployment rate up to 4.2 percent, from 4.1 percent in June, it said.

Meanwhile, job growth in May and June was revised down by a combined 258,000, the BLS reported, calling the adjustments "larger than normal."

Job growth in May was revised down by 125,000 to a gain of just 19,000, while June's total was cut by 133,000, leaving only 14,000 jobs added.

The slowdown came as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration slapped sweeping tariffs on major U.S. trading partners. Economists have long warned that the duties could strain the broader U.S. economy, with some now projecting a potential recession in the fourth quarter. Enditem