Jerome Powell blames Trump tariffs for Fed not cutting interest rates

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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday blamed President Donald Trump’s tariffs for not cutting interest rates, but largely withheld further criticism despite facing heated attacks from the president this week.

Appearing as part of a panel at the European Central Bank forum in Sintra, Portugal, Powell was asked if he believes the Federal Reserve would have lowered interest rates if Trump had not announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April. Powell responded in the affirmative.

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