New Analysis Shows That, Following Tariffs, Middle Class Jobs Have Taken A Hit, Job Growth Has Slowed, and Continued Unemployment Has Spiked
WASHINGTON – Today, the Joint Economic Committee – Minority released a new report demonstrating the harmful effects of President Trump’s tariffs and the ensuing economic uncertainty on middle class jobs in particular. The report outlines the hollowing out of middle class jobs, decline in overall job growth, and spike in continued unemployment claims following Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcements.
Key findings from the Committee’s new analysis:
- Industries with good-paying, middle class jobs are being hit particularly hard, with a total decline of 25,000 jobs in goods-producing industries in August alone.
- Following the announcement of Trump’s tariffs, the labor market has weakened, with poor jobs numbers every full month since the April “Liberation Day” announcement
- The number of people filing for continued unemployment relief is reaching levels not seen since the pandemic.
“President Trump’s reckless tariffs have upended the labor market and put the livelihoods of middle class workers at risk,” said Senator Maggie Hassan, Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee. “We should be working together to support job growth, lower costs, and create new economic opportunities for families. Instead, the President is injecting chaos into the economy and taking jobs away from middle class families.”
Since Trump enacted his “Liberation Day” tariffs, the Joint Economic Committee – Minority has released a series of reports showing the negative economic impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty, including higher prices for baby items and July 4th cookout supplies. The Committee has also shown that Trump’s tariffs and economic agenda have already harmed the U.S. manufacturing sector, and are set to benefit the wealthiest Americans while hurting middle-class workers.
Read the full report that was released today here.
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