Financial markets showed significant volatility on Monday as investors responded to President Trump’s threats to dismiss Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The dollar fell to its lowest level since late 2023, while US stocks declined and Treasury bonds showed mixed performance.
Trump’s comments, along with his aggressive trade tariffs, have heightened recession fears and raised questions about the independence of the Federal Reserve. Market experts warn that undermining the Fed’s independence could worsen any economic downturn and threaten the dollar’s status as a safe-haven currency.
Despite Trump’s calls for interest rate cuts, many economists believe the Fed may proceed more cautiously than markets expect. Meanwhile, several major Wall Street firms, including Citigroup, Bank of America, and BlackRock, have recently downgraded their outlook on US stocks as trade tensions continue to impact economic growth projections.