<h1>US Jobless Claims Drop to 219,000, Below Forecast, as Labor Market Stays Resilient Despite Tariff Hikes and Federal Workforce Reduction Plans</h1> Jobless claim filings in the US decreased by 6,000 to 219,000 for the week ending March 29, below analysts' forecast of 226,000. Weekly applications have remained between 200,000-250,000 for several years. Despite the Trump administration's recent tariff hike announcements and federal workforce reductions through the Department of Government Efficiency, the labor market remains resilient. Federal agencies facing staff reductions include Health and Human Services, IRS, Small Business Administration, Veterans Affairs, and Education. The unemployment rate stands at 4.1%, considered historically healthy, though economists anticipate it may rise to 4.2% in March with projected job growth of 130,000.