Trump-Appointed Fed Governor Supports Rate Cut, Downplays Tariff Inflation Impact

Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller, a Trump appointee, downplays concerns that President Trump's tariffs on imported goods will significantly fuel inflation, suggesting the central bank may have room to cut interest rates as early as its July meeting. Waller's stance aligns with President Trump's vocal calls for rate reductions and positions him as a possible Fed chair contender, contrasting with current Fed Chair Jerome Powell's cautious approach. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s semiannual Monetary Policy Report highlights that tariffs have negatively impacted household and business confidence and market liquidity, though their full inflationary effects are not yet fully reflected in data. Contrarily, Fed Chair Jerome Powell warns that tariffs are expected to increase consumer prices this summer, complicating the Fed's inflation control efforts and leading to upward revisions in inflation forecasts and downward adjustments in economic growth projections. Powell’s caution contrasts with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's view that tariffs have not yet broadly affected consumer prices, underscoring ongoing debate about the economic impact of tariffs. Overall, the Fed remains cautious due to trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, with inflation remaining somewhat elevated and growth prospects dimming.