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The United States has added 1.2 million jobs in manufacturing over the past eight years. Before you cheer for the revival of American manufacturing, consider the reason for all that job growth: abysmal productivity performance.

U.S. job openings surged to a record in March, putting vacancies at about par with the number of unemployed workers, Labor Department data showed May 8.

U.S. services firms grew at a slower pace in April compared with the prior month as companies are reporting cost pressures from possible tariffs and a shortage of available workers.

U.S. hiring rebounded in April, and the unemployment rate dropped below 4% for the first time since 2000, while wage gains unexpectedly cooled, suggesting the labor market still has slack to absorb. Payrolls rose 164,000 after an upwardly revised 135,000 advance, Labor Department figures showed May 4.

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in March by the most in two years, while last week’s unemployment filings were below estimates and productivity gains remained lukewarm in the first quarter. Here’s what you need to know from the economic reports out the morning of May 3.

The Trump administration sought to temper expectations for a swift breakthrough on trade issues with China as a delegation of senior U.S. officials prepares to visit Beijing this week.

Very concerning. Two products eliminated. Commodity prices rising. Business planning “is at a standstill.” That’s what a few American manufacturers said they’re facing as the Trump administration weighs tariffs on imported metals and Chinese products, creating uncertainty for companies that by most other accounts are going gangbusters.

President Donald Trump said his trade actions may cause “a little pain” in the short term, and a new study shows U.S. agricultural workers could be hurt the most.

With the calendar’s turn from April to May, the U.S. economic expansion has become the nation’s second-longest on record.

A gauge of signed contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes rose less than forecast in March, and the prior month’s reading was revised down, indicating a lack of inventory is restraining the market, according to data released April 30 from the National Association of Realtors in Washington.