Marketplace Morning Report Does the Fed now have a "dueling mandate"?
Nov 14, 2025
Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at KPMG, discusses the Federal Reserve's potential dilemmas with rising inflation amidst a cooling labor market, hinting at contentious rate decisions ahead. Michael Chui, Senior Fellow at QuantumBlack, reveals insights from McKinsey on how companies are experimenting with AI but struggle to scale it meaningfully. They explore how this technology might disrupt the workforce and emphasize the importance of reskilling for employees affected by these changes.
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New Food Tariff Frameworks Explained
- Nancy Marshall-Genzer explains tariff removals cover items the U.S. can't produce in sufficient quantities, like coffee and bananas.
- The deals keep some flat duties and include digital services tax and IP commitments from partner countries.
Fed Faces A 'Dueling Mandate'
- Diane Swonk says the Fed faces a "dueling mandate" as slowing jobs and rising inflation pull policy in opposite directions.
- The Fed may delay cuts until January to avoid rekindling inflation despite labor market weakness.
Timing Matters More For Headlines Than Economy
- Diane Swonk argues that waiting between December and January is mostly "splitting hairs" for economic lags but matters for headlines and political pressure.
- The trade-off is small economically but can amplify scrutiny if the Fed skips a December cut.