Why tariffs have hit Americans’ jobs harder than their shopping carts
CNN••general
Key Points:
- Despite significant tariff increases in 2025 under President Trump, overall price hikes remained relatively stable, though prices for some imports like beef, coffee, and tomatoes rose notably.
- The job market weakened considerably, with the lowest average monthly job growth in decades outside of recessions and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment to 4.4%.
- Business uncertainty caused by unpredictable tariff policies led many companies to pause hiring or lay off workers, as firms faced reduced profitability and hesitance to invest.
- Customers delayed purchases amid tariff fluctuations, and many businesses absorbed higher tariff costs instead of passing them to consumers, helping to keep inflation in check.
- A pending Supreme Court decision on a major tariff case could overturn significant
