Federal Reserve Pauses Interest Rate Changes as Economic Uncertainty Grows

Fed Chair Jerome Powell cites trade policies, tariffs, and consumer sentiment as key factors influencing the decision to hold interest rates steady.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced that the Federal Reserve will maintain its current interest rate policy, citing significant economic uncertainty tied to recent government actions.
Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are expected to increase prices and could slow economic growth, though their long-term impact remains uncertain.
Consumer confidence has declined sharply, with recent surveys showing heightened concerns about inflation, wages, and the broader economic outlook.
The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in February, a slowdown from previous months, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.1 percent, the highest in over three years.
Despite the uncertainty and mixed signals, Powell emphasized that the economy remains largely healthy, but the Fed will wait for greater clarity before adjusting rates further.