In a switch, Trump approves of the Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady

In a switch, Trump approves of the Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady


U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., Jan. 31, 2025. 

Carlos Barria | Reuters

President Donald Trump agreed with the Federal Reserve for its decision last week to leave interest rates unchanged, an early pivot from his previous demand that the central bank ease “immediately.”

In an exchange with reporters Sunday, Trump said holding its key borrowing level in a range between 4.25%-4.5% was the correct move for the Fed.

“I’m not surprised,” he said regarding the decision, according to multiple reports. “Holding the rates at this point was the right thing to do.”

The statement stood in stark contrast to one Trump delivered when speaking remotely to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In a Jan. 23 appearance, Trump said he would “demand that interest rates drop immediately.”

The president has no direct authority over the Fed, though he does nominate the chairman as well as other board members. Current Chair Jerome Powell is a Trump nominee, and a frequent target of the president’s criticism.

Markets don’t expect the Fed to lower rates until at least June. In his post-meeting news conference last Wednesday, Powell repeatedly asserted that the Fed doesn’t need to be in a “hurry” to lower further after shaving a full percentage point off the fed funds rate from September to December in 2024.

The Fed’s decision-making got potentially more complicated after Trump on Saturday said he would impose aggressive tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China, the three largest U.S. trading partners. Economists worry that the tariffs will drive up prices at a time when inflation has shown signs of easing.

Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO



Source

Asia-Pacific markets poised to trade lower; Bank of Korea policy decision in focus
World

Asia-Pacific markets poised to trade lower; Bank of Korea policy decision in focus

Sunset scene of light trails traffic speeds through an intersection in Gangnam center business district of Seoul at Seoul city, South Korea Mongkol Chuewong | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were poised to trade lower Thursday as investors await the Bank of Korea policy decision. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was on course to open lower, with […]

Read More
How China’s electric vehicle juggernaut is reshaping the global car market
World

How China’s electric vehicle juggernaut is reshaping the global car market

Workers from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company NIO inspect vehicles in the final quality control area on the automated production line at the companys manufacturing hub on January 17, 2025 in Hefei, China. Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images The speed and scale of China’s electric vehicle revolution has caught the world […]

Read More
Taylor Swift’s engagement is such a big deal it’s moving the stock market. Here’s what’s moving
World

Taylor Swift’s engagement is such a big deal it’s moving the stock market. Here’s what’s moving

Tight end Travis Kelce, #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs, celebrates with Taylor Swift after the AFC championship football game against the Buffalo Bills, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 26, 2025. Brooke Sutton | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement on Tuesday sparked the […]

Read More