President Donald Trump threatened Friday to stop trading with countries with which the U.S. has a deficit unless the Federal Reserve (Fed) lowers interest rates, citing a strong August jobs report as justification.
"High interest rates put the U.S.A. at a very unfair disadvantage, and I won't allow that to happen!" said Trump, who has repeatedly demanded that the Fed cut rates.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday reported stronger-than-expected job creation in August, prompting traders to boost bets on a hike later this month.
"Lower the interest rates because the U.S.A. is a much stronger credit than it was just a short time ago!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
"We should have the LOWEST RATE of any country in the World ... LOWER THE RATE OR I’LL STOP TRADING WITH COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE HAVE A DEFICIT," he said.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said last week that inflation, at 3.7% according to the Fed's preferred measure, remains too far above the central bank's 2% target, and added that without further progress, they would have "work to do."
