Layoffs, Layoffs…22,692 Employees Laid Off By 81 Companies So Far In 2025, And More To Follow, All Thanks To Trump’s Unpredictable Policies

The pink slips are flying fast and furious in 2025, from tech giants to entertainment conglomerates and even the automobile industry, no sector is safe from the ongoing wave of layoffs. So far, a staggering 22,692 employees have lost their jobs across 81 companies, and the number is only climbing.

Tech layoffs have been particularly brutal this year, with Meta, HP, Salesforce, and others slashing thousands of jobs in a bid to cut costs, restructure operations, and focus on AI. With economic uncertainty looming large and market dynamics shifting rapidly, companies are scrambling to stay ahead, often at the cost of their employees.

But it’s not just tech. Even the entertainment industry hasn’t been spared, with Disney and JioStar making headlines for letting go of employees to tighten their budgets. Meanwhile, the automobile sector has also joined the layoff frenzy, mirroring the downward trend across industries.

DHL’s Job Cuts, The Biggest Layoff Yet

In what is the largest job reduction in Germany in over two decades, logistics giant DHL has announced plans to cut 8,000 jobs in its home market. The move comes as the company is struggling with declining letter volumes and rising operational costs.

While, DHL’s job cuts represent just 1.3% of its global workforce, but the impact is significant, considering that Germany still holds a 16.99% stake in DHL through state lender KfW.

The company has assured that the layoffs will be carried out in a “socially responsible manner,” but that has done little to ease concerns among workers and unions. The Verdi labour union has strongly opposed the cuts, blaming regulatory restrictions and insufficient increases in postage stamp prices for the financial strain.

DHL’s 2024 net profit fell 9.3% to €3.3 billion, while revenues saw a modest 3% increase to €84.2 billion. However, the company cited rising costs and the inability to offset declining mail volumes as key reasons behind the layoffs. In an effort to save more than €1 billion ($1.1 billion) by 2027, DHL’s restructuring plan sent its stock soaring, rising 12.3%, making it the biggest gainer among German blue-chip stocks.

Trump’s Trade War and Its Ripple Effect

While DHL has downplayed its exposure to Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, the logistics industry as a whole is bracing for tough times. Trump’s recent pause on scrapping the “de minimis” duty exemption for low-value packages has added to the woes, making companies cautious about their future workforce planning.

But DHL is not the only one, other global corporations are also feeling the heat of Trump’s economic policies, fluctuating interest rates, and trade restrictions, leading to widespread cost-cutting measures, layoffs, and strategic overhauls.

Tech Layoffs

Meanwhile, the bloodbath in tech continues, and the list of companies slashing jobs keeps getting longer. Big names like HP, AutoDesk, Meta, and Salesforce have already laid off over 1,000 employees each. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Many more companies are reportedly gearing up for mass layoffs this year, impacting thousands of workers across industries. Google, Microsoft, and several others in the IT and allied sectors are expected to downsize further, all in the name of focusing on artificial intelligence (AI). And here’s where it gets messier, a recent survey by Resume Templates found that nearly half of American workers are worried about being laid off because of Trump’s economic moves.

Among those surveyed –

—59% blame tariffs and trade policies,
—55% worry about cuts to government contracts, and
—39% fear changes in immigration policies will cost them their jobs.

Workers in accounting, education, and IT seem to be sweating the most. And honestly, can one blame them?

Trump’s economic policies are all over the place, one day it’s about shrinking government spending, the next it’s about imposing tariffs on trading partners, and then suddenly, it’s about border control. The problem is businesses need stability, not chaos but under Trump, the rules keep changing!

The uncertainty is already rattling markets. Some experts are even predicting a recession, given the rising costs for businesses and consumers, coupled with stagnant wages and shaky investments. Treasury officials are scrambling, calling this an “economic readjustment period,” but the reality is simple, companies are slashing jobs because they’re struggling to keep up with the shifting economic ecosystem.

Do Presidents Really Influence the Stock Market?

There’s an old belief that Republican presidents, being pro-business, naturally boost stock market returns. But history says otherwise. Over the last 70 years, markets have actually performed about 9% better under Democratic administrations than Republican ones.

Why?

Timing. Democrats often take office during economic downturns, meaning they “buy low” and preside over recoveries (think Obama post-2008 crisis). Republicans, on the other hand, usually inherit strong economies with limited upside (think Trump post-2016). This cycle means that stock market gains aren’t necessarily tied to policy but to economic conditions at the time a president takes office.

That being said, presidents can and do shape market sentiment. And Trump so far has shown high unpredictability, whether it’s a sudden tariff hike, an unexpected tax policy change, or a single fiery tweet, markets have to brace for volatility under his leadership.

The last Bit, Layoffs, Markets, and the Trump Factor

As Trump’s second term unfolds, economic uncertainty is back in full force, and layoffs are becoming an uncomfortable reality for many across the globe and while his administration’s pro-business stance might suggest a stock market boom, the reality is more complex.

Rising tariffs, immigration restrictions, and erratic policymaking could end up hurting the very industries that once benefited from Trump’s tax cuts and deregulation.

Sectors like tech, manufacturing, and finance are already struggling with post-pandemic corrections and AI-driven job shifts and are facing increasing layoffs as companies brace for economic volatility.

However, the job market, which remained resilient in recent years, may not be able to absorb these disruptions as easily this time around. Meanwhile, Wall Street, always eager for short-term gains, continues to ride the waves of Trump’s unpredictable policies, leaving everyday workers vulnerable to the aftershocks.