#PowellRemarks

In his latest remarks, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone, signaling that the path forward for U.S. monetary policy remains uncertain. While the Fed held interest rates steady, Powell hinted at the possibility of two rate cuts later in 2025—contingent on economic data, especially inflation and employment figures. He described the outlook as "foggy" and warned that recent tariff policies could lead to a "meaningful" rise in inflation, stating, "Someone has to pay for the tariffs." Powell emphasized that decisions will remain data-driven, urging protection of government data sources to avoid "flying blind." His remarks underscore the Fed's balancing act between curbing inflation and avoiding a slowdown.