Fed hikes rates for the first time in three years
Gramercy Funds Management Chairman Mohamed El-Erian breaks down Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s decision to raise interest rates for the first time in three years despite President Donald Trump’s opposition, examining the potential impact on inflation, financial markets, economic growth and what the move could mean for consumers and investors on ‘America Reports.’
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With the midterms looming, President Donald Trump wants lower interest rates to ease the squeeze on American families. Instead, the Federal Reserve raised rates on Wednesday.
The decision is aimed at combating stubborn inflation, but it will make borrowing more expensive for voters and delivers a big hit to Trump’s economic promises with less than two months until Americans cast their ballots and determine which party will control Congress.
The Fed does not set the prices of groceries, cars or homes. But its decisions affect how much Americans pay to borrow money, especially when they buy a house or car. Higher rates can add hundreds of dollars to monthly payments, even when the price of the home or vehicle has not changed.
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The Federal Reserve sets the nation’s interest-rate policy, influencing borrowing costs for households and businesses. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, raised the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday, bringing it to a range of 3.75% to 4%. The increase — the Fed’s first in three years — was aimed at slowing inflation, which remains above the central bank’s 2% goal. Higher energy prices and tariffs have added to pressure on household budgets, and the Fed’s projections indicate that another rate increase could come later this year if inflation remains elevated.
The rate hike puts Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to lead the world’s most powerful central bank, at odds with the president’s push for lower borrowing costs.
The decision could strain their relationship and revive memories of Trump’s repeated clashes with former Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
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The rate hike also puts Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh in the spotlight. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Although the president appoints members of the Fed’s Board of Governors, the FOMC is designed to make rate decisions based on economic conditions rather than political pressure.
Warsh underscored that independence Wednesday, saying the Fed acted based on its assessment of employment, the strength of the economy and the inflation outlook.
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The Fed chairman was later asked what message he had for Trump, who has repeatedly called for lower rates.
He declined to discuss the president, saying, “I’ve got nothing for you on a discussion with the president.”
President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve, but Warsh’s rate hike conflicts with the president’s calls for lower borrowing costs. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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For Trump, the timing is difficult.
He campaigned on improving affordability, but the rate increase could make it harder for households to feel financial relief—and for the administration to show voters that its economic promises are producing results. With affordability and the cost of living already central issues in the midterm elections, higher borrowing costs could further complicate the president’s economic message.