Slower US job growth expected in December; unemployment rate likely dipped

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) – U.S. job growth likely slowed in December amid business caution about hiring because of import tariffs and rising artificial intelligence investment, though an anticipated easing in the unemployment rate to 4.5% could support expectations the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged this month.
The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on Friday is expected to show the labor market remained stuck in what economists and policymakers have called a