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Bank of Canada Holds the Line as Global Turmoil Clouds Outlook

  Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a press conference in Ottawa on September 17, 2025 The Bank of Canada has opted to keep its key interest rate steady at 2.25%, a decision that reflects the delicate balancing act policymakers face as global uncertainty intensifies. With inflationary pressures rising and economic growth showing signs of strain, the central bank is navigating a narrow path shaped by forces largely outside its control. A major driver of the current tension is the surge in oil prices triggered by ongoing geopolitical conflict. Higher energy costs are feeding into broader inflation, raising concerns that price pressures could become more persistent. At the same time, elevated borrowing costs and weakening consumer confidence are weighing on domestic economic momentum. By holding the rate, the Bank of Canada signals caution: it aims to avoid stifling growth while still keeping inflation expectations anchored. The central bank emphasized that it rema...

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Trump–Powell Showdown Intensifies as White House Floats Criminal Charges

                                            Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

A dramatic escalation in the long‑running tension between President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has thrust the independence of the U.S. central bank into the spotlight. The conflict deepened after Powell disclosed that the Department of Justice had issued grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve—an action he suggested was politically motivated.

The inquiry centers on Powell’s congressional testimony about cost overruns tied to a Federal Reserve building renovation. Powell has dismissed the investigation as a pretext, arguing that the administration’s real aim is to pressure the Fed into cutting interest rates more aggressively, a move Trump has repeatedly demanded.

The threat of potential criminal charges against a sitting Fed Chair is virtually unprecedented, prompting alarm across Washington. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, warned that such actions risk undermining the Justice Department’s credibility and vowed to oppose future Fed nominees until concerns are addressed.

Financial markets reacted with unease as analysts noted that any perception of political interference in the Federal Reserve could erode global confidence in U.S. economic leadership.

In an unusually forceful statement, Powell defended the central bank’s independence, emphasizing that public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of political pressure.

The standoff shows no signs of easing, and many observers worry that the clash could reshape the balance of power between the White House and the Federal Reserve for years to come.

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