Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, indicating continued strength in the labor market despite global economic uncertainty. For the week ending May 17, initial jobless claims totaled 227,000, down slightly from 229,000 the previous week and below economists’ expectations of 230,000, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, continuing claims—an indicator of the number of people still receiving unemployment aid—rose to 1.9 million for the week ending May 10, compared to 1.87 million a week earlier. The slight uptick suggests some persistence in unemployment, but overall conditions remain stable.

Fears of a sharp economic downturn emerged after the White House rolled out sweeping global tariffs in early April. However, President Trump’s decision to pause some of the highest planned tariffs on China has eased investor concerns and stabilized short-term economic sentiment.

Surveys show both businesses and consumers remain cautious. Many companies have opted to delay large-scale investments and hiring decisions until there is more clarity on trade policy and economic direction.

Despite lingering uncertainty, the latest jobless claims data reflect a resilient labor market. Analysts will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see if strength in employment continues to counterbalance broader economic headwinds.