AAM Statement: Factories Lose 12,000 Jobs in December

Tags China and Currency Manipulation China and Subsidies Currency Manipulation Jobs Jobs and the Economy Jobs and the U.S. Economy Jobs Statement Lost Manufacturing Jobs Manufacturing Manufacturing

Washington, D.C. – Manufacturing employment decreased in December, with the sector losing 12,000 jobs, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The bulk of loss was seen in the production of fabricated metals and primary metals.

Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:

"A pretty grim end of the decade for factory workers. Last year saw a paucity of manufacturing job creation, and 12,000 factory workers lost their jobs in December. It is really important now as we enter a new decade that Congress focuses on creating good-paying American jobs, beginning with the passage of a robust infrastructure investment package.

"Meanwhile, while the Trump administration was right to take on China’s trade cheating, the 'Phase 1' agreement will do absolutely nothing for factory jobs. American workers are now counting on the administration to bring home a real agreement with China that includes action to address China’s massive industrial subsidies, currency manipulation and state-owned enterprises, as well as labor and environmental concerns. Without that change, this decade looks to be a tough one for America's factory workers."

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