U.S. job openings slipped to 7.2 million in March, their lowest point in six months, as economic uncertainty fueled by President Trump’s trade and workforce policies weighed on hiring, according to the Labor Department.
The decline from 7.5 million in February and 8.1 million a year ago signals a softening labor market. However, quits rose slightly — a sign of worker confidence — and layoffs fell to a nine-month low. Openings remain above pre-pandemic levels but have steadily declined from a 2022 high.
Economists warn the data may reflect early tremors, with larger job cuts looming in sectors impacted by tariffs and federal workforce reductions.
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