Economic Outlook and Market Reactions to Geopolitical Tensions

In the US yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Powell delivered a speech to members of the House of Representatives (most of whom are not economists). The main messages were: no rush to cut rates, and trade taxes create uncertainty. This will not surprise markets. There was a further softening of the data dependency mantra, as Powell focused on future inflation as a reason to keep rates unchanged for now. Powell testifies again today.