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Ahead of Fed meeting, Trump says US should have world's lowest interest rate
Trump said the United States should have the world’s lowest borrowing costs, as markets priced in an 86% chance of a Fed hike.
On Sunday in Doonbeg, Ireland, President Donald Trump argued the U.S. "should be paying the lowest interest rate in the world," speaking ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting this week.
Following Friday's Consumer Price Index report showing the largest inflation increase in four months, the Federal Reserve faces mounting pressure; Trump posted two weeks ago, "LOWER THE RATE OR I'LL STOP TRADING WITH COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE HAVE A DEFICIT."
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told "Fox News Sunday" that Trump "will defend the independence of Kevin Warsh above all," though he noted Trump "is not going to be super happy about it" if the Fed raises rates.
The Fed meets just weeks before midterm elections that determine whether Republicans maintain slim majorities in Congress; recent polling suggests a rate hike could worsen voter affordability concerns as Trump's approval ratings have fallen.
Trump has been more supportive of Federal Reserve leadership since his own pick, Kevin Warsh, took charge earlier this year, marking a shift from his past criticism of former Fed chair Jay Powell.
In the face of ever-high inflation, the US Federal Reserve could raise its interest rates next week. A decision that may rekindle tensions with Donald Trump, who supports a fall in the cost of credit.