President Trump said Sunday in Ireland that the United States “should be paying the lowest interest rate in the world,” pressing the Federal Reserve days before its Sept. 15-16 meeting even as markets brace for a possible hike.
Speaking near Doonbeg during the Irish Open, Trump said he did not know whether policymakers would raise rates this week, according to Bloomberg and a Reuters account carried by The Straits Times. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh faces market pressure to lift borrowing costs into the meeting, Bloomberg reported.
Separately, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNN that if Warsh and his committee decide “whatever they’re going to decide, we will 100% support them,” Bloomberg reported. A CNN video showed Hassett saying Trump will accept a potential Fed rate hike.
On Fox News Sunday, Hassett also said Trump will defend Warsh’s independence “above all,” while noting Trump would not be “super happy” about a hike, per Reuters. No FOMC decision has been made.
Sources: Bloomberg Sept 13 (Trump Ireland/Irish Open lowest-rates push; Warsh hike-pressure frame); Bloomberg Sept 13 (Hassett to CNN: White House will 100% support Fed next decision); Straits Times/Reuters Sept 13-14 (Doonbeg quote; Hassett Fox News Sunday independence and not super happy color); CNN Politics video Sept 13 (Hassett: Trump will accept potential hike); Gulf Times/Reuters Week Ahead Sept 13 (macro brace; Friday LSEG >80% hike odds context only).
