Fed set to pause rate cuts again as concerns grow about Trump’s economic agenda
CNN
The Fed is expected to hold off on hiking or cutting rates this month. However, if the US economy continues to decline, the central bank will likely need to step in with a rate cut to encourage economic activity.
• The Federal Reserve is set to announce its latest decision on interest rates at 2 p.m. ET. • The two-day meeting for the nation’s central bankers comes as concerns rise over the slowing economy as President Donald Trump wages a trade war and guts government funding. • Surveys show that many businesses and consumers are on pause, waiting for more clarity surrounding Trump’s economic agenda. • Economists expect the Fed to hold off on hiking or cutting rates at this juncture. However, if the economy continues to decline, the central bank will likely need to step in with a rate cut to encourage economic activity. Central bankers are almost certain to hold interest rates steady at the conclusion of their March meeting on Wednesday. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will likely reiterate that the economy remains in decent shape, but the bank’s latest projections will probably show the economy is trending toward stagflation, economists say.
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