JUST IN: Jobs Report Reveals Manufacturing Boom, Big Increase In Native-Born Workers

The latest jobs report offers a sharp departure from the economic trends of the past year, with a notable resurgence in manufacturing employment and a shift in the composition of the labor force. In his first full month in office, President Donald Trump has overseen a gain of 10,000 manufacturing jobs, reversing a decline that marked the final year of the Biden administration.

The uptick, particularly evident in the automobile sector, suggests that businesses may be responding to the administration’s economic policies. According to the report, auto manufacturing added 8,900 jobs in February after the industry shed more than 27,000 jobs in the previous year.

The data signals an early economic shift under President Trump, whose administration has promised to reinvigorate 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.”

Beyond manufacturing, the broader labor market saw significant movement. According to labor statistics, 93% of the job gains last month came from the private sector, reinforcing the administration’s stance that reducing regulatory burdens will spur economic growth.

Notably, the number of native-born workers in the labor force saw a sharp increase, a shift from the trends seen under former President Biden.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA – February 1, 2024: President Joe Biden leaves the U.S. Capitol after the National Prayer Breakfast.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 284,000 native-born workers gained employment last month, while 87,000 foreign-born workers lost jobs. The report also indicates that 367,000 native-born individuals joined the workforce, while 66,000 foreign-born workers exited.

The Trump administration’s focus on manufacturing aligns with the latest indicators from industry surveys. S&P Global’s U.S. Manufacturing Index surged last month to its highest level since June 2022, and the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business showed a return to expansion for the first time in over two years.

The turnaround in these key economic indicators suggests renewed confidence among American manufacturers, potentially buoyed by expectations of trade and tax policy changes under the new administration.

WASHINGTON – Feb 27, 2025: President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold a joint press conference at the White House.

President Trump’s economic policies have been largely defined by tax cuts, deregulation, and trade protectionism so far. The president has imposed tariffs on imports from countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico, aiming to protect American industries.

He has floated the idea of replacing income taxes with revenue from tariffs, a proposal that many economists argued was not viable. Trump also tapped Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with cutting waste and streamlining federal spending.

Musk initially set a goal of slashing $2 trillion from the federal budget but later acknowledged that a $1 trillion reduction might be a more realistic target. Musk has spoken against wealth taxes while supporting estate taxes, criticizing tax loopholes like Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts.

DOGE has called for banning short-selling in the stock market and has proposed a carbon tax as an alternative to government subsidies, arguing that market-driven solutions would be more effective. The aggressive cost-cutting strategies have gained traction in Republican-led states, where officials are implementing similar policies to address budget concerns.