Business reporter, in New York
US President Donald Trump has fired the boss of one of America’s most important economic institutions hours after weaker-than-expected jobs data stoked further alarm about his tariff policy.
On social media Trump claimed – without any evidence – that Erika McEntarfer, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), had “RIGGED” jobs figures “to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad”.
US stock markets plunged following the unprecedented move by the White House, with some accusing Trump of destroying public trust by politicising data.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the president was “a bad leader” who “shoots the messenger” for weak statistics.
Markets were already rattled on Friday after Trump forged ahead with his plans to lift US import tariffs on countries around the world.
Figures were…
