Trump Urges Fed for Aggressive Rate Cuts Amid Global Economic Competition

President Donald TRUMP escalated his pressure on the Federal Reserve during a rare visit, demanding an immediate 300-basis-point rate cut to bolster U.S. competitiveness. Standing alongside Chair Jerome Powell, Trump framed the proposed reduction as economic "rocket fuel," citing Switzerland's negative rates and the ECB's accommodative policies as benchmarks. The unprecedented public lobbying comes despite the Fed's traditional independence from political influence.

Trump's argument hinges on declining inflation and sustained labor market strength—conditions he claims justify drastic action. While denying plans to dismiss Powell, the president emphasized urgency: "We're winning on every front except interest rates." The remarks inject fresh volatility expectations into markets already parsing mixed signals about the Fed's July decision.