Treasury Secretary Expects Fed Rate Cut by September Amid Tariff Debate

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by September, arguing that President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are not fueling inflation as feared. In an interview on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle, Bessent criticized the Fed’s hesitation to ease policy despite lowering its growth outlook.

“It’s bewildering to me that the Fed hasn’t already cut rates,” Bessent said. “If they believe tariffs aren’t inflationary, they could move sooner—but certainly by September.”

His remarks follow a similar forecast from Goldman Sachs, which expects the first rate cut in September, with two more by year-end. The Fed, however, remains cautious. Chair Jerome Powell reiterated in Portugal that uncertainty over inflation, driven in part by Trump’s tariffs, remains a key concern.

Data from the PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, showed inflation in May remained above the 2% target, complicating the case for monetary easing. Still, Bessent emphasized that tariffs should not be seen as inflationary and suggested that the central bank’s own criteria support a rate cut soon.

President Trump has publicly pressured Powell to lower rates and is reportedly considering naming a successor early, potentially to undercut Powell’s leadership.

Addressing other issues, Bessent dismissed Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s criticism of Trump’s economic policies, saying, “If Elon sticks to rockets, I’ll stick to finance.” He also expressed confidence that Trump’s proposed bill will reduce the national debt over time, despite growing fiscal concerns.

Bessent’s comments add to the growing debate over the Fed’s policy direction as inflation, interest rates, and trade tensions remain at the forefront of economic discussions.