Trump Slams Possible Interest Rate Hikes, Calls for Lower Borrowing Costs

US President Donald Trump has spoken out against possible interest rate increases, stating that strong economic growth should result in lower borrowing costs for the country. At a White House press conference, he said that the United States' position as a global financial leader means it should enjoy the lowest interest rates worldwide.

'We're number one; we should have the lowest interest rates anywhere in the world by far,' Trump stated.

He linked this argument to US trade power, suggesting that countries benefiting from access to the American market should pay lower interest rates than others. 'If we wanted to put tariffs or stop doing business with them, they would go from a so-called elite country to a poverty-stricken country,' he said.

The President also expressed his disagreement with the Federal Reserve's current approach to interest rates, suggesting that it has changed over the past quarter-century. He argued that positive economic results once supported lower rates, while central bankers now treat rapid growth as an inflation risk.