Trump Issues Stark Threat To Federal Reserve: "Lower The Rate Or I'll Stop Trading With Countries With Which We Have A Deficit"

President Donald Trump told the Federal Reserve to cut rates after a stronger-than-expected August jobs report, warning that he would stop trading with countries that run goods deficits with the U.S. unless the Fed complies. In a Truth Social post at 9:56 a.m. Eastern, Trump said “LOWER THE RATE” or he would halt trade, framing it as an alternative to tariffs. The jobs data beat expectations: the economy added 162,000 jobs, with unemployment at 4.1%, but analysts noted wage growth lags inflation and some gains reflect seasonal adjustment effects in education and food services. Markets responded by pushing Treasury yields higher, with the 10-year ending at 4.79% on Sept. 2.