WASHINGTON — U.S. job openings rose unexpectedly in May, a sign that the American labor market remains resilient in the face of high borrowing costs and uncertainty over U.S. economic policy.

U.S. employers posted 7.76 million vacancies in May, the Labor Department reported Tuesday, up from 7.4 million in April and the highest since November’s 8 million, when then-President Joe Biden was still in the White House.

Economists had expected a slight decrease to 7.3 million.

Openings were reported at hotels and restaurants and at finance companies. Vacancies at the federal government fell to the lowest level since May 2020, likely reflecting President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze. — Associated Press