World Business Report Will the Federal Reserve deliver its first 2025 rate cut?
Sep 17, 2025
Aiming for insights on U.S. interest rates, discussions revolve around the anticipated first rate cut of 2025 and the internal debates within the Federal Reserve. The soaring cost of tomatoes is spotlighted as a contributor to rising food inflation, straining American households. Additionally, the podcast highlights the unexpected departure of Ben & Jerry’s co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, from the company, complicating its ongoing disputes with parent Unilever. The interplay of economic pressures and business dynamics keeps listeners engaged.
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Fed Faces Split Over Rate Cut
- The Fed may cut rates by 25 basis points but the vote could be contested with dissent from different views on the economy and politics.
- Political pressure from President Trump raises unprecedented questions about Federal Reserve independence.
Two Sources Of Fed Dissent
- Fed members will likely dissent from two directions: disagreements about economic weakness and political pressure influencing decisions.
- Such dual tensions make the upcoming vote unusually fraught compared with typical Fed consensus.
Tomatoes Are Driving Food Inflation
- Tomato prices are rising sharply and are contributing materially to US food inflation and household strain.
- New import tariffs are a major driver by increasing the cost of bringing tomatoes into the United States.