Global Manufacturing Sectors Contract in April Amid Rising Costs

In April 2025, manufacturing sectors in the U.S., UK, and Turkey all remained in contraction, as evidenced by PMI readings below the neutral 50 mark. The U.S. manufacturing PMI slipped to 48.7, marking a second month of contraction with sharper output declines, elevated prices, and ongoing export challenges linked to tariffs, though job losses lessened somewhat. The UK sector also contracted, with the PMI revised up to 45.4 but still reflecting widespread declines in output, new orders, and employment; export demand from the US, Europe, and China weakened, and business optimism dropped to a multi-year low amid rising costs and trade uncertainty. Similarly, Turkey's manufacturing PMI held steady at 47.3 for the 13th straight month of contraction, as subdued demand led firms to reduce employment and purchasing, while currency weakness pushed input costs higher. Across all three countries, manufacturers faced persistent cost pressures, reduced confidence, and global trade uncertainties, contributing to ongoing cutbacks in production and jobs. Despite these challenges, some sources noted faint signs of improvement, raising cautious hope for future stabilization.