US jobless claims fall, but Trump’s promised manufacturing job boost remains a pipe dream

US manufacturing jobs have declined by 72,000 since Trump imposed tariffs in April 2025, despite overall unemployment claims falling. Tariffs have raised costs for many factories, especially small and midsize ones, leading to reduced production and delayed investments. Industries like auto parts and semiconductors have been hit hard, with auto factories losing 20,000 jobs and semiconductor makers losing over 13,000 jobs.