Federal Reserve opens 2-day meeting, rate cut expected

[WASHINGTON] The Federal Reserve opened a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, poised to cut the key US lending rate for the first time in more than a decade amid rising economic uncertainties.

The Federal Open Market Committee raised the benchmark interest rate four times last year but has signaled that it will backtrack given worrying signs in the United States and major trading partners amid President Donald Trump's aggressive trade tactics.

Moments earlier, Mr Trump continued his high-pressure campaign demanding more stimulus to the economy, telling reporters he wants to see a "large cut" by the Federal Reserve.

"I'm very disappointed in the Fed," he said.

Wall Street was lower in advance of the Fed announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.2 per cent toward 1930 GMT.

Markets overwhelmingly expect the central bank will cut the key lending rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday - the first decrease in more than a decade - amid a slowing global economy hit by trade uncertainty and sluggish business investment.

That would undo the Fed's most recent increase in December, which was the last of four in 2018 as the US economy picked up steam.

The Fed was then working to "normalise" monetary policy, raising the rates off zero to ensure it would have ammunition to help support the economy in the event of a downturn.

But Mr Trump seems to be calling for a deeper cut of 50 basis points or perhaps more - a move typically used only when the economy is experiencing a steep slowdown.

The current economic expansion is now entering its 11th year, making it the longest on record. And with steady job growth, low unemployment and asset prices running high, economists are split as to whether the world's largest economy needs stimulus.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, the target of Mr Trump's ceaseless barbs, has signaled the bank is likely to lower rates due to economic uncertainties, including Mr Trump's protracted trade wars with China and Europe which have helped cause business investment to fall sharply.

The Commerce Department on Tuesday confirmed that inflation remained tame last month, meaning there is slim likelihood of a breakout in price pressures.

Other economists say rate the increase in December was a mistake and many say the Fed is likely to roll out one or two more rate cuts in coming months.

"I think they probably did go too far," said economist Adam Posen, former member of the Bank of England's policy board.

But he told AFP the mistake only became clear in hindsight.

"You should view this as an error by Fed but within the normal bounds," he said.

Mr Posen, head of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said he expects one more rate cut this year.

AFP