U.S. Job Market Shows Signs of Life in January After Weak 2025; EPA Plans to End Climate Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. economy saw a better-than-expected increase of 130,000 jobs in January, according to reports released Wednesday, a positive sign following a year of sluggish growth in 2025. However, the news was tempered by revised data showing a significant slowdown in hiring throughout the previous year. Simultaneously, the Trump administration announced plans to rescind a key climate pollution regulation, sparking controversy.
The January job gains, as reported by the Labor Department, brought a slight dip in the unemployment rate to 4.3%. This followed a disappointing 2025, where the labor market added only 181,000 jobs, a stark contrast to the 1.46 million added in 2024, according to revised federal data. "Hiring grew a little warmer last month after a chilly year in 2025," noted NPR News. Employment gains for November and December were revised down by a total of 17,000 jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised the 2025 figures after receiving additional state data. While the January numbers offered some encouragement, the overall picture remained mixed. The initial data had indicated 584,000 jobs were added in 2025, but the revised numbers painted a less optimistic picture.
In other news, the Trump administration announced plans to end a key climate pollution regulation. The EPA intends to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding, which determined that pollutants from burning fossil fuels could be regulated under the Clean Air Act. According to NPR News, the EPA now argues that the Clean Air Act does not give it the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This move represents the administration's most aggressive action yet to halt initiatives addressing climate change.
Meanwhile, a new study from the University of Michigan highlighted the varying realities of self-employment. The study, using machine learning to analyze job descriptions, found that informal self-employment arrangements often lead to lower pay, poorer health, and instability for workers.
In the Asia-Pacific region, TIME magazine, in partnership with Statista, released its annual list of the "Asia-Pacific's Best Companies of 2026." The ranking, based on employee satisfaction, financial performance, and sustainability transparency, aims to identify top-performing companies in the region. The employee satisfaction data was gathered from surveys conducted in 2024.
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