Central Banks

Powell Downplays Growing Risks, Sees Tariff Impact as Transitory

Recession Risks Have Moved Up, But It's Not High, Says Fed Chair PowellPhotographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
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For weeks the US economic picture has been darkening. If Wednesday was an opportunity for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to raise the alarm, he took a hard pass.

Speaking to reporters following a two-day meeting of policymakers, Powell downplayed mounting growth concerns and the price hits that could be on the way from President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade war. He even revived a once-abandoned term to say the inflationary impact of tariffs is likely to be transitory.