Federal Reserve official Neel Kashkari, in his remarks on monetary policy, conveyed a message of determination in the fight against inflation.
Kashkari stated that the Fed needs to reach its 2% inflation target, adding that caution is warranted in the current economic outlook. While noting that the labor market is in good shape, Kashkari said more data is needed to determine what course of action should be taken regarding interest rates this year.
Referring to the recent increase in geopolitical risks, Kashkari said that a war with Iran could have an impact on monetary policy. However, he noted that it was too early to assess the impact of the war on inflation. Kashkari stated that the Fed should carefully monitor the scale and duration of the shock originating from Iran, indicating that these developments could be decisive for the inflation and growth outlook.
Speaking about trade policies, Kashkari stated that he did not think a significant increase in tariffs was highly likely. He said he did not believe a new round of tariffs would create additional pressure on inflation, but added that uncertainty regarding the tariff outlook had increased.
Kashkari also argued that while he had previously thought monetary policy was in a good position, recent inflation data warranted caution regarding the risk of overall inflation remaining persistently high.
*This is not investment advice.