US Fed Meeting Hightlights: The Federal Reserve holds rates steady between the range 4.25% to 4.5% regardless of Trump’s pressure. Ahead of the announcement, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, writing: “2Q GDP JUST OUT: 3%, WAY BETTER THAN EXPECTED! ‘Too Late’ MUST NOW LOWER THE RATE. No Inflation! Let people buy, and refinance, their homes!” Trump stated that the 3% annualised growth rate as a sign the Fed should reduce borrowing costs.
US economy
The US economy grew at a stronger-than-expected 3% annual rate in the second quarter, buoyed by improving trade dynamics and a rebound in consumer spending, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Inflation-adjusted GDP showed broad-based gains across key sectors. Consumer spending rose 1.4%, up from 0.5% in the previous quarter. While exports slipped 1.8%, a sharp 30.3% drop in imports, following a 37.9% surge in Q1, helped improve the trade balance. The positive data comes despite ongoing trade tensions and tariff negotiations under President Donald Trump, which, while unsettling markets at times, have thus far avoided severe escalations. The report also suggested that inflation pressures may be easing, though not entirely resolved.
What to expect from the announcement?
At this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, two governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, were being closely watched as possible dissenters if the central bank opts to keep interest rates steady at the current 4.25%–4.5% range. Both have publicly advocated for a rate cut, and if they vote against the consensus, it would mark the first time since 1993 that multiple Fed governors have dissented in a single meeting. Waller’s position carries added weight given speculation he could be a contender to succeed Chair Jerome Powell next year, as reported by CNBC.This meeting also follows President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to the Fed’s construction site, which sparked controversy over the project costs.
Meanwhile, the broader economic context presents a challenge for policymakers. Trump tariffs, once expected to fuel inflation, appear to be having a more muted effect than many economists predicted. That undercuts one argument against easing, making the case for holding rates higher more difficult to defend, especially as Trump continues to call loudly for aggressive rate cuts.
US Fed Meeting Live updates Check Rates Cut Policy Announcement Latest News
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Powell downplays stimulus impact of GOP tax and spending bill
When asked about the impact of the recent tax and spending bill passed by Trump, Powell said, “Let me give the usual disclaimer: we don’t offer judgements on fiscal or other legislation,” he said. “That said, the largest component of the bill was simply making existing tax laws permanent. We don’t view it as particularly stimulative. There may be some boost, but it’s unlikely to be significant over the next couple of years.”
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Fed holds off on September rate call
When asked about rate cut in September, Powell said, “We haven’t made any decisions about September yet. We don’t make those calls ahead of time. We’ll consider that data, along with everything else we receive, when the time comes.”
While traders have been anticipating a rate cut in September, that expectation remains subject to change based on upcoming economic data. Back in June, Fed officials had signalled a narrow consensus for two total cuts this year.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Fed Chair Powell calls current stance “modestly restrictive”
Powell calls the policy ‘modestly restrictive. ” “I would characterize as modestly restrictive. Inflation is running a bit above 2% as I mentioned, even excluding tariff effects, the labour market’s solid, historically low,” said Jerome Powell in the press conference.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Powell reaffirms Fed’s confidence in economy despite uncertainty
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday reiterated the central bank’s view that the US economy remains resilient, even amid elevated uncertainty. He noted that the economy is in a “solid position,” with the unemployment rate staying low and the labour market operating at or near maximum employment. Powell also acknowledged that inflation continues to run “somewhat above” the Fed’s longer-run 2% target, focusing on the central bank’s cautious approach to future policy moves.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Powell flags uncertainty over inflation impact of Trump tariffs
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday said it remains difficult to predict the full economic impact of President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff policy, which has imposed double-digit taxes on imports from several countries in a bid to revive US manufacturing.
“Higher tariffs have begun to show more clearly in the prices of some goods, but their overall effects on economic activity and inflation remain to be seen,” Powell said during his press conference.
“A reasonable base case is that the effects on inflation could be short-lived, reflecting a one-time shift in the price level,” he added
However, he cautioned that the inflationary impact could be more persistent than expected. “That is a risk to be assessed and managed,” Powell added.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: US GDP rose at a 1.2% pace in the first half of this year, says Powell
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that economic growth in the first half of 2025 had moderated, with the nation’s GDP expanding at a slower pace of 1.2%, compared to 2.5% earlier. “Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity has moderated. GDP rose at a 1.2% pace in the first half of this year, down from 2.5%,” Powell said during his press briefing.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Monetary policy to focus on dual mandate
Powell stated during the press conference the focus of Monetary policy remains on its dual mandate. He said, “Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated,” the Fed said in its post-meeting statement. “The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate.” The dual mandate includes, maximum employment and stable prices.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Powell speaks at FOMC press conference
Jerome Powell begins Fed press conference
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Fed holds interest rates steady at 4.25% to 4.50%
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, with a divided vote that offered little clarity on when borrowing costs might come down. The decision saw dissent from two Trump-appointed governors who echoed the president’s view that monetary policy remains too restrictive.
In its policy statement, the central bank noted, “The unemployment rate remains low, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.” The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 9-2 to keep the benchmark overnight rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.50% for a fifth straight meeting.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Trump slams Powell ahead of fed rate announcement
Ahead of the announcement, Trump once again spoke against Jerome Powell. He said, “Each point that this gentleman keeps up costs us $365 billion a year. Think of that one point, $365 billion. If you bring it down to a point, we save $365 (billion). We should be the lowest interest rate. And we’re not.”
He further added, “He’s got a meeting today, but I call him too late. You know, he’s always too late. Even if he does it today, probably won’t. I hear they’re going to do it in September. Not today. For what reason? Nobody knows.”
US President Donald Trump issued a fresh call to action ahead of the presser, insisting that “keeping interest rates high is hurting people”. He told reporters, “if that happens and we just raise them, what you do is you lower them and let’s see if there’s inflation. Right now, there’s no inflation.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Press conference details
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to hold a press conference at 2PM ET (12:00 a.m. IST, Thursday) on July 30, 2025. Ahead of that, the Federal Open Market Committee will release its interest rate decision at 2:00 p.m. EDT (11:30 p.m. IST) via the Fed’s official website. Viewers can watch Powell’s remarks live on the Federal Reserve’s official YouTube channel.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Wall Street steady as investors eye Fed decision, tech earnings
Wall Street remained steady on Wednesday as investors analysed strong GDP data while awaiting the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and earnings reports from leading tech firms. At 9:43 a.m., the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up by 1.42 points to 44,632.50. The S&P 500 added 7.20 points, or 0.11%, reaching 6,378.06, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 47.19 points, or 0.22%, to 21,145.48.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: What has changed on the Trump tariff front since the last Fed meeting?
Since the last Federal Reserve meeting, US tariff rates on imported goods have remained unchanged, but that is about to shift dramatically. Starting from August 1, President Trump’s deadline kicks in for countries to finalise trade agreements or face steep tariff hikes.
Trump has sent letters to multiple world leaders outlining the new rates, some climbing as high as 50%. Nations without agreements are not exempt: their tariff rates, currently around 10% since April, could rise to between 15% and 20%.
While Trump has secured recent trade deals with the European Union, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, these countries will still see increased tariff rates, just not as severe as originally threatened.
Adding to the pressure, Trump has also proposed a 50% tariff on copper and signalled upcoming hikes on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, injecting fresh volatility into global trade dynamics just as the Fed weighs its next move.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Powell defends Fed’s independence amid Trump’s pressure
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has made it clear to those close to him that he has no intention of resigning despite mounting pressure from President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.
Powell believes that stepping down would set a dangerous precedent, potentially compromising the Fed’s independence from political influence. He has told allies that his continued leadership is about more than just finishing his term; it is about defending the institution itself.
“He’s very firm on protecting the Fed’s independence,” said Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, who has personally asked Powell about the possibility of resigning. “He told me directly that resigning would only weaken that independence.”
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Trump urges for immediate rate cut
US President Donald Trump is now urging Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to slash key interest rates to support homebuyers and homeowners. “2Q GDP JUST OUT: 3%, WAY BETTER THAN EXPECTED! ‘Too Late’ MUST NOW LOWER THE RATE. No Inflation! Let people buy, and refinance, their homes!” Trump posted on Truth Social, just hours before the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: US economy grew at 3% rate in second quarter
The US economy bounced back in the second quarter, registering a growth of 3 %. The latest GDP comes after a sharp rise in imports earlier this year, as businesses rushed to buy goods before President Trump’s tariffs took effect. That surge had led to a 0.5% GDP contraction in the first quarter. According to the BEA, the second-quarter rebound was largely due to a drop in imports, which are deducted when calculating GDP.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: When will Fed Chair announce the policy decision?
The FOMC is set to announce its decision on the key benchmark interest rates at 2:00 p.m. EDT. In its previous policy meeting, the council opted to keep the rates unchanged in the range of 4.25% to 4.5%.
US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Hello and welcome to the blog
Welcome to the live coverage of the US Fed FOMC meeting. The US Federal Reserve is set to announce its first monetary policy decision of 2025 today, July 30. Stay tuned for the latest updates.