‘Chaotic tariffs, failed policies’: Senator lashes out at Trump as unemployment soars

New York senator Chuck Schumer said that democrats “will force votes” in upcoming weeks to try and reverse Trump’s import tariffs.

Updated on: Sep 5, 2025, 22:06:39 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

United States senator for New York Chuck Schumer on Friday launched a scathing attack against the retaliatory tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump and said that the job growth in the country has been “strangled” because of the Republican's failed policies.

Chuck Schumer said that Donald Trump is "squeezing the life out of" US economy. (File/REUTERS)

The Democrat leader blamed Trump’s chaotic tariffs and failed policies for rising prices and slow job growth.

“Donald Trump’s chaotic tariffs, failed policies, and fake trade deals have strangled job growth and continually raised prices on American families,” Schumer said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“The pressure is pushing working families closer to the breaking point,” the Democrat leader added.

Schumer made the remarks as he shared a screenshot of the headline of a news article that read, “Hiring craters in latest economic setback for Trump: August jobs report”.

A few minutes before this post, Schumer shared the same screenshot and wrote, “Donald Trump is squeezing the life out of our economy.”

He also said in response to the jobs report that democrats “will force votes to reverse Donald Trump’s damaging tariffs.”

US unemployment rate highest since 2021

Schumer was referring to the US jobs report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, which said that in August 2025, nonfarm payrolls increased by just 22,000, much less than July’s 79,000 figure.

The unemployment rate in the United States of America touched 4.3 per cent in August, which according to several reports is the highest level since 2021.

These fresh figures come as a double blow for Trump as he came under fire last month for poor employment numbers and responded by firing Erika McEntarfer, the then head of the Bureau of Labour Statistics and claimed the numbers in the jobs report released by the bureau were rigged. He also nominated his loyalist EJ Antoni to replace her. However, Antoni’s approval by the US senate is still pending.

Meanwhile, William Wiatrowski, who is the acting commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is responsible for the US monthly jobs report.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.