WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday that the nation’s employers added 224,000 jobs in the month of June, despite concerns about a slower economy after a disappointing report in May. The increase beat projections by Bloomberg economists, who had predicted a 160,000 job gain.

Lee Iacocca, the former CEO of Chrysler who pulled the struggling company back from the brink of failure, has died. He was 94. Two former Chrysler executives who worked with Iacocca said a close associate of the family told them Tuesday of his death at his home in Bel Air, Calif. Iacocca had battled Parkinson’s disease in recent years, but former Chrysler company spokesman Bud Liebler said he didn’t know what caused his death.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that the economy gained only 75,000 jobs in May, a significant decrease from April’s 224,000. Economists had projected a gain of 185,000 jobs. Unemployment remained at its nearly 50-year low of 3.6 percent.

Slower overall global market growth and trade battles in the United States could be responsible for the more sluggish numbers. Companies are also buying less high-end machinery and equipment, a sign of caution about the economy.

The ride-sharing company Uber posted $1 billion in losses during the first quarter of 2019, despite gaining 20 percent in revenue over last year’s first quarter, in its first financial report since going public three weeks ago. The huge loss is attributed to an uptick in spending to remain competitive in the ride-sharing marketplace. Uber and Lyft are trying to become the go-to companies around the world amid increasing regulations and high demand.

U.S. trade officials issued a list Tuesday of $300 billion more of Chinese goods targeted for possible tariff increases. The list “covers essentially all products” exported from China that haven’t already been hit with tariff increases, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said. It includes laptop computers, saw blades, turbine parts, tuna, and garlic.

The United States and China appear locked in a battle of wills after trade talks hit a setback and President Donald Trump announced new duties on Chinese imports last week. China responded with more tariffs of its own Monday.

China on Monday announced retaliatory tariff increases on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. The trade war between the two countries entered a new phase as negotiations broke down last week and President Donald Trump said he would raise tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion in Chinese exports. The United States blames China for trying to renegotiate already-agreed-upon parts of a trade pact.

WASHINGTON—U.S. and Chinese representatives are meeting Thursday to try to save sinking trade negotiations before a planned tariff hike Friday on $200 billion in Chinese goods. President Donald Trump said Wednesday night that the two sides expected a positive outcome from the talks until recently, when “China broke the deal” by attempting to renegotiate key points. Tariffs will climb from 10 percent to 25 percent at 12:01 a.m. Friday if the trade envoys don’t make progress at their meeting Thursday.