Trump Urges Fed to Cut Rates, Warns of Trade Curbs on Deficit Partners
Trump calls for lower US interest rates, arguing financial strength should mean cheaper borrowing and warning of trade actions against deficit countries.
US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for lower interest rates, arguing that the country's financial position justifies the cheapest borrowing costs globally. In a social media post, he said the United States is now a 'much stronger credit' than before and that a strong nation should enjoy lower rates, as it did in the past.
His remarks came as he welcomed the latest jobs report, which showed employers added 162,000 positions in August. Trump described the figure as beating expectations, though official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics put the unemployment rate at 4.1 percent, unchanged from the previous month. Gains were seen in food services, drinking places, and local government education.
Trump also tied his rate demand to trade imbalances, warning that he could halt trade with countries running surpluses against the US if borrowing costs are not reduced. He argued that such a move would be better than tariffs and pointed to a Supreme Court ruling that he said affirms presidential authority in this area.
He urged the Federal Reserve, under its new leadership, to act, saying high rates place the US at an 'unfair disadvantage.' His comments reflect ongoing friction between the White House and the central bank over monetary policy.