WASHINGTON >> U.S. job growth weakened sharply in August and the unemployment rate increased to nearly a four-year high of 4.3%, confirming that labor market conditions were softening and sealing the case for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut later this month.

The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report today also showed the economy lost jobs in June for the first time in four and a half years, fanning fears of economic stagnation. Job growth has slowed since April, with economists blaming President Donald Trump’s policies, mainly tariffs on imports, an immigration crackdown and mass firings of public workers.

“The economy is skating as close to the edge of recession as you can get,” said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS. “Companies are clearly hunkering dow

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