US Fed official says bank should be ready to cut ratesWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A key US Federal Reserve official said Friday that central bank policymakers should be ready to lower interest rates further, citing "fragility" in the jobs market. But her views changed as she began observing "clearer signs of slowing economic growth and increasing fragility in the labor market." "My view is that we should continue to focus on risks to our employment mandate and preemptively stabilize and support labor market conditions," she said. She also warned that the employment market could weaken further: "The labor market can appear to be stable right up until it doesn't." But Trump has repeatedly called for rates to be slashed more to boost the economy, slamming Fed chair Jerome Powell for not backing aggressive rate cuts.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 17, 2026 09:06 UTC