Federal Reserve officials debated the staying power of inflation at the central bank’s December meeting, with a range of views on where interest rates could settle in 2025. Policymakers emphasized that policy is not on a preset path and will need to evolve in response to both economic data and the new administration’s policies.

The central bank cut rates last month but saw risks of somewhat firmer price pressures this year due to potential tariff increases by President-elect Trump.

The Federal Open Market Committee is highly likely to hold interest rates at their current level at their next meeting, but cuts later in 2025 remain on the table.

A top policymaker at the US Federal Reserve says that he still supports reducing interest rates this year, despite elevated inflation and the prospect of widespread tariffs.

Federal Reserve officials at their meeting Dec. 17-18 expected to dial back the pace of interest rate cuts this year in the face of persistently elevated inflation and the threat of widespread tariffs