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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Business
Michael Sainato

US lost 92,000 jobs in February just before Trump joined Iran conflict

people speak with each other in front of a sign that reads 'now hiring'
Recruiters speak to jobseekers during the WorkSource North Seattle career fair on 10 February 2026. Photograph: David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The US lost 92,000 jobs in February, an unexpected major slackening in the labor market that came just before Donald Trump threw the global economy into upheaval with his conflict in Iran.

The unemployment rate edged up to 4.4% in February. In comparison, the US added a revised 126,000 jobs in January, far surpassing expectations of 70,000 jobs but still less than January 2025. Economists predicted an increase of 60,000 jobs added in February and a steady unemployment rate of 4.3%.

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