Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said Thursday that he sees lower risks to inflation as tariffs have driven up price pressures less than expected. "I see on the margin...a reduction of some of the upside risks to inflation" from tariffs, Williams told reporters after speaking at the Economic Club of New York. He noted this reduction comes alongside greater clarity about future economic policy. Williams acknowledged that President Donald Trump's import tax increases are "definitely" affecting price pressures, but added that in terms of tariff pass-throughs to higher...
The Bank of England (BoE) is expected to take a measured approach in adjusting its monetary policy, with Barclays (LON:BARC) analysts predicting that the central bank will hold off on more aggressive rate cuts until mid-year. While the BoE recently reduced the Bank Rate by 25 basis points to 4.5%, the decision exposed a rare divergence among policymakers. Two members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted for a more substantial 50-basis-point cut, signaling a growing faction within the committee that favors a more proactive approach to easing. Despite this dissent, Barclays...
The Bank of England cut its benchmark interest rate by 25bps to 4.5% in its January 2025 decision, as widely expected, marking the third rate cut since the start of its cutting cycle in August last year. All nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted for the rate cut, compared with 8-1 odds, while two members voted for a sharper 50bps cut, including hawkish Catherine Mann. The Bank maintained its stance that monetary easing is expected to be gradual this year, as rising growth concerns weigh on underlying services inflation. However, the Bank revised its growth forecasts for the...
United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and plan to speak with him again later today, amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries. Over the weekend, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from neighboring Mexico and Canada. Both countries swiftly responded with retaliatory measures against U.S. goods, escalating the trade dispute. Amid these developments, President Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that he had spoken with Prime Minister Trudeau and would speak with him...
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that his government would reciprocate if U.S. President Donald Trump decides to impose tariffs on Latin America's largest economy, and called for mutual respect. "It is very simple: if he taxes Brazilian products, there will be reciprocity," Lula told a press conference in Brasilia. The United States runs a trade surplus with Brazil, which according to Brazil's government hit $253 million last year. But Trump this week named the country among those he believes meant the U.S. "harm," threatening potential tariffs. "China is a...
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda avoided giving a clear signal that he might raise interest rates next month, sticking to his view that the bank needs to continue monitoring risks to the economy in comments that weighed on the yen. "The timing and pace of adjusting the degree of monetary accommodation will depend on developments in economic activity and prices as well as financial conditions going forward," Ueda said in a speech at a business conference in Tokyo on Wednesday. "The bank needs to pay attention to various risk factors at home and abroad, and to examine how these factors will...
President Donald Trump said he would fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors if she does not resign her post over mortgage-fraud accusations from a top...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...