Trump and the art of the retreat

Last week, President Trump expressed a desire to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell, a sentiment confirmed by National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett, which alarmed constitutional scholars and investors. However, Trump later stated he had “no intention” of firing Powell, likely influenced by financial market chaos following his remarks, which caused declines in the S&P 500 and dollar. Additionally, Trump’s administration signaled a retreat from its aggressive trade stance with China, suggesting a possible shift in economic strategy aimed at stabilizing market confidence, though concerns about the Fed’s independence and the unpredictability of Trump’s policies remain critical issues.