Key facts
- US employers added 172,000 new jobs in May.
- Job growth in May exceeded economists' expectations.
- Farmers are struggling with rising costs and tariffs.
The US job market showed unexpected strength in May, with employers adding 172,000 new positions, a figure that surpassed economists' forecasts. This robust hiring contrasts with reports from many Americans who describe challenges in their job search, indicating a potential gap between macroeconomic labor data and individual experiences. In Wisconsin's farm country, however, many farmers are facing difficulties due to tariffs and increasing fuel and fertilizer costs, exacerbated by the Iran war.