Trump defends firing labor statistics chief by lying about her role in 2024 campaign – as it happened

This liveblog is now closed.

• Trump orders firing of labor statistics chief hours after data showed jobs growth slowed

The main US stock indices have fallen sharply at the start of trading, as investors react to the flurry of tariffs announced last night and today’s weak US jobs report.

The Dow Jones industrial average (which contains 30 large US companies) has fallen by 1.1% at the start of trading, shedding 501 points to 43,629.