The Fed operates with a dual mandate of keeping the labor market healthy while maintaining stable prices. At the moment, the labor market remains solid and inflation, while not at the 2% annual level the Fed desires, has come down significantly. That could change if some of the more aggressive Trump tariffs take effect.

Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady for a third-straight meeting and emphasized they see a growing risk of both higher inflation and

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but said the risks of both higher inflation and unemployment had risen, further clouding the economic outlook as the U.S. central bank grapples with the impact of Trump administration tariff policies.