The latest jobs report marks a significant departure from the economic trends of the past year, with a notable rebound in manufacturing employment and a shift in the labor force’s composition. In his first full month in office, President Donald Trump has overseen the creation of 10,000 manufacturing jobs, reversing the decline that characterized the final year of the Biden administration.
This increase, especially pronounced in the automobile sector, suggests that businesses may be responding positively to the administration’s economic policies. The report reveals that auto manufacturing added 8,900 jobs in February, after the industry lost more than 27,000 jobs the previous year. The data indicates an early economic shift under President Trump, whose administration has committed to revitalize American industry and prioritize domestic production.
“This is great news for American workers and families,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Friday. “The Trump Administration will continue to work hard to implement pro-growth policies and push Congress to enact the Trump Economic Agenda.” In addition to manufacturing, the broader labor market experienced significant shifts. Labor statistics show that 93% of the job gains last month were in the private sector, reinforcing the administration’s belief that cutting regulatory burdens will drive economic growth.
Today’s jobs report shows the auto industry GAINED 9,000 new jobs in February!@POTUS is leading the charge and we are doing everything in our power @EPA to bring back American auto jobs and restore this quintessential industry. This is how we Power the Great American Comeback.
— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) March 7, 2025
Interestingly, there has been a significant increase in the number of native-born workers in the labor force, marking a departure from the trends observed during former President Biden’s administration. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that 284,000 native-born workers found employment last month, while 87,000 foreign-born workers lost their jobs. The report also shows that 367,000 native-born individuals entered the workforce, while 66,000 foreign-born workers left.
The Trump administration’s emphasis on manufacturing aligns with the latest industry survey results. S&P Global’s U.S. Manufacturing Index rose to its highest level since June 2022, and the Manufacturing ISM Report on Business indicated a return to expansion for the first time in over two years. The improvement in key economic indicators indicates renewed confidence among American manufacturers, likely supported by expectations of changes in trade and tax policies under the new administration.
AMERICA IS BACK TO WORK ?? pic.twitter.com/HLOHA8OYYz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 7, 2025
Trump’s economic policies have primarily focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and trade protectionism. The president has implemented tariffs on imports from countries like China, Canada, and Mexico, with the goal of safeguarding American industries. He has suggested replacing income taxes with revenue from tariffs, a proposal that many economists have criticized as unfeasible. Additionally, Trump appointed Elon Musk to head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is tasked with reducing waste and streamlining federal spending.