The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in three months, a sign that the U.S. labor market remains sturdy despite fears over the effects of U.S. tariffs.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that claims for the week ending July 12 fell by 7,000 to 221,000, the fifth straight weekly decline and the fewest since mid-April. Last week’s number was also lower than the 232,000 that analysts forecast.

The Labor Department reported this month that employers added 147,000 jobs in June, adding to evidence that the labor market continues to show resilience despite uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s economic policies. The jobless rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2% in May. — Associated Press