7 hrs ago

Trump Pressures Fed After Rate Hike, Demands One Percent Rates

Trump Pressures Fed After Rate Hike, Demands One Percent Rates
Trump criticises Fed chief after interest rate hike, calls for rates at 1% · thehindubusinessline.com

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to try to slow down inflation.

Inflation means prices are rising too quickly.

President Donald Trump wants much lower rates, saying they should be 1% or less.

He argued that the United States is a very reliable borrower.

Trump also connected interest rates to trade deficits, although the article says the two issues are largely unrelated.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation is still too high and that raising rates was responsible.

Most Fed policymakers expect rates may rise again this year.

Trump said he spoke with Warsh, but Warsh did not confirm that conversation.

The disagreement raises questions about how much pressure the president is putting on the central bank.

Key facts

Rate decision
The Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%.
Trump’s demand
Trump said U.S. interest rates should be 1% or lower.
Fed inflation view
Kevin Warsh said inflation was too high and had remained too high for too long.
Future projections
Sixteen of 18 policymakers projected at least one more quarter-point increase by year-end.
Warsh’s position
Warsh said the rate increase was a serious, sober, and responsible decision.
Reported conversation
Trump said he spoke with Warsh, while Warsh declined to confirm discussions with the president.
Earlier Fed leadership
Trump appointed Warsh in January to succeed Jerome Powell, who left the chairmanship after frequently facing Trump’s criticism.

Quotes

Donald Trump

US president and critic of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate policy

“Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR”
thehindubusinessline.com
“The plain fact is that inflation is too high and has been for too long”
thehindubusinessline.com

Sources

Related news