US Fed poised for first rate cut of 2025 as political tension mounts | Business

WASHINGTON, Sept 14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to make its first interest rate cut of the year at its policy meeting this week, spurred by a weakening jobs market -- but political tension looms over the gathering. The Fed's likely move would follow a monthslong push from President Donald Trump to slash rates, and comes amid growing concern about political pressure on the independent central bank. Since the bank's last reduction in December, it has held interest rates at a range between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent as policymakers monitor the effects of Trump's sweeping tariffs on inflation. Analysts now broadly expect a 25 basis points rate cut at the end of its two-day...