Federal Reserve Flags Inflation Risks Linked to Trump Policies
Fed officials express concerns over potential inflationary effects of tariffs, immigration policies, and economic uncertainty under Trump's administration.
- Federal Reserve officials have highlighted risks of persistent inflation, citing President Trump's proposed tariffs and immigration policies as potential contributors to rising costs.
- The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% in January, with no immediate plans for further rate cuts as inflation remains above the 2% target.
- Businesses in several Fed districts indicated plans to pass higher input costs from tariffs onto consumers, potentially driving up prices further.
- Uncertainty surrounding Trump's broad-based trade and immigration measures has created apprehension among businesses and complicated the Fed's inflation outlook.
- While progress has been made in reducing inflation since its 2022 peak, recent data shows inflationary pressures persisting, with January's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising to 3% year-over-year.