Job openings rise in middle of trade wars, but businesses are slower to hire

Published: June 3, 2025 at 10:09 a.m. ET

A now hiring sign is displayed as job seekers fill out applications for employment at a United States Postal Service. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Job openings in the U.S. rose in April even after President Trump jacked up tariffs on the rest of the world, but companies were slow to fill new positions amid the worst trade wars since the 1930s.

New job postings rose to 7.4 million at the end of April from 7.2 million in the prior month, the government said Tuesday. They are down almost 40% a record high three years ago, however.