Watch Fed Chair Jerome Powell Speak Live on Interest Rates and Tariffs Amid Economic Turmoil
April 7, 2025 — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to address the nation today, Monday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. PDT, delivering critical remarks on interest rates and the fallout from President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The live speech, hosted by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) in Arlington, Virginia, comes as stock markets reel from a $5 trillion selloff and U.S. futures signal another punishing day, with the Dow down 1,400 points pre-market. Powell’s comments, streaming on platforms like CNBC and PBS News, are eagerly anticipated as the central bank navigates an economy battered by trade war fears and inflationary pressures.
Powell’s appearance follows a chaotic week sparked by Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement—a 10% baseline duty on all imports, effective April 5, with steeper levies like 34% on China and 25% on Canada and Mexico set for April 9. His last major remarks on April 4 warned that these “larger-than-expected” tariffs would likely “raise inflation and slow growth,” a forecast that sent the S&P 500 tumbling 9.1% over two days and pushed the Nasdaq into bear market territory. “We face a highly uncertain outlook,” Powell said then, signaling the Fed’s intent to hold its benchmark rate steady at 4.25%-4.5% until clearer economic signals emerge—a stance he’s expected to reinforce today.
Today’s speech, including a Q&A session, offers Powell a chance to clarify the Fed’s next moves as Trump pressures him to cut rates, posting on Truth Social Sunday, “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!” The president claims his tariffs, now met with China’s 34% counter-duties, will usher in an “economic revolution,” but Powell has cautioned that persistent inflation could force the Fed to prioritize price stability over growth, potentially keeping rates elevated or even hiking them—a scenario dreaded by investors hoping for relief.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. With Goldman Sachs slashing oil forecasts and JPMorgan pegging a 2025 recession at 60%, Powell’s words could either calm markets or deepen the mayhem. Posts on X reflect the tension, with users like @NordFX noting, “Recession risk on Polymarket jumps to 65%,” and @valuewalk warning, “Tariffs may fuel inflation… markets tumble.” The Fed’s March 19 decision to hold rates steady, coupled with a forecast of two cuts by year-end, now hangs in doubt as tariff-driven price hikes—like a potential €2,300 iPhone—loom large.
Tune in live to hear Powell tackle these twin challenges—balancing Trump’s trade war with the Fed’s dual mandate of 2% inflation and maximum employment. As the U.S. braces for economic turbulence, his remarks could shape not just monetary policy but the global financial landscape. Will he signal a pivot, or double down on caution? The world is watching.
