The president of the United States, Donald Trump, threatened to halt trade negotiations with countries where the US has a trade deficit if the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve (Fed) is not lowered. The statement was made through a post on social media.
The threat came amid the release of positive US job market data, which created 162,000 jobs in August, above market expectations. Trump argued that a strong country should have lower interest rates, comparing the current situation to earlier periods of his presidency.
Trump also criticized the Supreme Court decision that invalidated tariffs he imposed, calling the decision "ridiculous." According to him, this decision would open room for him to halt negotiations with countries with trade deficits with the US.
The president also made a direct appeal to the Fed and its new chairman, asking the institution to act "smartly" and cut interest rates. Trump argued that the US should have the lowest interest rates in the world, otherwise other countries should not be considered "financial elite."
