(March 20): US President Donald Trump said the Federal Reserve (Fed) should cut rates, splitting with the US central bank as officials weigh the economic cost of his tariff push.

“The Fed would be much better off cutting rates as US tariffs start to transition (ease) their way into the economy,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Do the right thing. April 2nd is Liberation Day in America!!!”

Trump’s post on Wednesday evening comes as his administration prepares to unveil a fresh wave of tariffs, which Fed chair Jerome Powell signaled was hanging over forecasts.

Fed officials held their benchmark interest rate steady for a second straight meeting, as expected. Powell downplayed simmering concerns about a slowdown but acknowledged tariff uncertainty was a factor and already contributing to goods inflation, but may prove transitory.

Trump’s administration is preparing to announce a fresh wave of tariffs on April 2, though the exact scope isn’t clear. Trump has promised so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on at least some nations, though his administration has not specified which ones or at what rate.

Trump has sent repeated mixed messages on the Fed — at times calling for cuts and otherwise declining to intervene.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump’s national economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, stressed to reporters that the president and White House officials “very much respect the independence of the Fed”.

Even so, he made clear to reporters he differed with the Fed’s growth forecast, saying he anticipated a 2.5% growth rate. Fed officials are now predicting a 1.7% expansion.

Uploaded by Siow Chen Ming