Federal Reserve Meeting Begins Amid Tariff Tensions and Economic Uncertainty

Today marks the start of a pivotal Federal Reserve policy meeting, one that carries heightened significance as the U.S. economy grapples with new tariff threats and persistent inflation. As the Fed maintains interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, markets and analysts are closely watching for signals on the central bank's next move. Despite President Trump’s push for rate cuts to spur growth, the Fed is in a tight spot—balancing inflation pressures with the need to avoid economic stagnation. Inflation hit 2.4% in March, well above the Fed’s 2% target, with proposed tariffs on industries like pharmaceuticals and media further complicating the outlook. Companies such as Ford and Mattel are already sounding alarms, forecasting billions in losses and making operational shifts to soften the blow. Meanwhile, markets have reacted with caution, gold prices have surged, and investor confidence has wavered. The decisions made in this meeting could shape the trajectory of the U.S. economy in the months ahead.#FOMCMeeting