The US Labor Department says job gains in April exceeded market expectations, pointing to continued strength in the employment market. Attention is now turning to how the new administration's tariff measures may affect the situation going forward.



The department's monthly report says nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000 from March. Analysts had been expecting the number to be around 130,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 percent.



President Donald Trump touted the news on social media. He praised the "strong" jobs figures and hailed the "billions of dollars" pouring in from tariffs. He also urged policymakers at the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. Trump had previously leveled criticism at Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting rates.



The Fed has maintained a cautious stance on the issue. It says inflation remains above its 2-percent target and that it needs to assess the potential impact tariffs will have on prices. The divide between Trump and the central bank still lingers.