The former US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has attacked Donald Trump’s push for lower interest rates, comparing it to the actions of a “banana republic”.
The US president has repeatedly urged the central bank to slash interest rates, in the hope of cutting the government’s borrowing costs on its $39tn (£29tn) debt.
In a post on his Truth Social platform in January, Trump wrote: “We should be paying the LOWEST INTEREST RATE OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.”
Speaking at an HSBC investor summit in Hong Kong, Yellen said: “How often does the president of a developed country express the view that the interest rate should be set to reduce the debt service cost? This is what you hear in a banana republic.”
She argued that inflation can get out of control if central banks fall under the control of politicians whose aim is to borrow more cheaply.
I don't think Trump gives a shit about Treasury debt. He just wants to be able to grift for cheaper.
Orange Republic*